1 64 HISTORY OF 



the Ifle of Lewis 5 * and in order to draw the inha- 

 bitants thither, all the privileges of the royal bo- 

 roughs were to be conferred upon them. Finding 

 it, however, to be no eafy matter to inipire the in- 

 habitants of thofe countries with the, love of induf- 

 try, a refolution was taken to plant among them 

 colonies of people from the more induftrious coun- 

 tries. The firft experiment was made in the Ifle 

 of Lewis ; and as it was advantageoufly fituated for 

 the h'lhing trade, ajource from which Scotland ought 

 naturally to derive great wealth^ the colony tranf- 

 ported thither was drawn out of Fife, the inhabi- 

 tants of which were well fkilled in that branch of 

 commerce. But before they had remained there long 

 enough to manifefl the good effects of this inftitution, 

 the Iflanders, enraged at feeing their country occu- 

 pied by thofe intruders, took arms, and furprifmg 

 them in the night-time, murdered fome of them, and 

 compelled the reft to abandon the fettlement. The 

 king's attention being foon turned to other objects, 

 we hear no more of this falutary project.'' 



The great object which engaged the king's atten- 

 tion, was his fucceffion, in 1603, to the crown of 

 England, which gave a fevere blow to the prof- 

 perity of Scotland, and improvements in that 

 country. 



The Scottifh fifheries were, however, refumed by 

 Charles I. of which there are many evidences. <c I 

 confefs, fays Sir William Monfon, this filhing is a 

 bufmefs I have taken into confideration. My lord 

 of Northampton, if he were now living, was able to 

 witnefs how much it was iblicited and defire'd by 

 me, and no lefs wifhed and defired by his lordfnip. 

 But by the death of my lord, it refted unthought on 

 by me, till the late duke of Richmond revived it, 

 and importuned me once more to it. His death in 

 the like manner made it die, till his majefly (Charles 



* Csmpbletovvn, Inverlochy, now Fort William, and Strona- 

 \vay 



