444 SITUATIONS FOR TOWNS 



where fcarcity and famine carry off numbers annu- 

 ally. Thefe iflands, though in gen I, and 

 incapable of agriculture, have many fmall, well inha- 

 bited valleys and ftraths upon their fhores and lakes. 

 The produce is fimilar to that of the main larul : and 

 alfo their wants. To this range of iflands, contain- 

 ing 48,000 people, the propolcd towns woukl 

 immediate relief, bciides enabling them t 

 the filheries, . ch bulinels all iflanders ar 

 rurally adap 



If thefc tov. ;!d difFufc fuch ble/Tings amongft 



the remote diftricts, and iflands, we may cafily con- 

 ceive the ftill greater benefits to the centrical line and 

 coafton which they fhall be immediately placed. The 

 object is great, humane and politic ; immortal fame 

 awaits thofe in power who fhall accomplifh it. The 

 fituations mentioned in the former editions, for the 

 erection of towns, having been generally approved 

 of, by mariners, fifhers, traders, and natives of all 

 degrees in life ; I relume the fubject with confidcr- 

 able fatisfaction, and fhall add fuch further particu- 

 lars as may tend to elucidate the fame to perfons 

 in both kingdoms who are unacquainted with thofe 

 parts. The nautical information communicated to 

 the public by that able and experienced navigator 

 Mr. Mackenzie, being too expenfive for general fale, 



" fcarcity at Inverncfs rendered my fituation more embarrnfling 

 ** than before ; our own people, and the poor, had a prior claim 

 " to my attention; I pofitively refilled that relief \\hich mull 

 " have been given at the cxpenec of others, in the fame lituation. 

 " The poor man, having liftuu/d v ith i:i y eyes; 



*' to the dreadful words, repreUnud 1:1 ung terms, the 



11 feelings and fituatif-n of his family and neighbours, ihould he 

 44 return empty-handed/' 4 Ci, . . boll, ar. 



(hall have the price' of three bolls ; here, Sir, are the th 



I muft not go back without me;il, othcrwiie all pcrifli, 



there is no remedy eHcwhcte.' " I'nable to re-lift the limple, 

 *' but genuine eloquence of the poor man, I ordered him a ' 



I . i i . d lie v. ould initantly 



rt to his family 5 which order i.. aely obeyed in 



" tranfports of joy and gratitude/* 



I fhall 



