THE PASTOR OF ST KILDA. 369 



He remained with them for about a year, before an oppor- 

 tunity occurred of his being conveyed to his own country. 

 As it was now the close of day we did not land again, 

 but sent our good minister ashore in the boat. We could 

 then observe that almost the entire population of the 

 island was assembled to receive him at the landing-place, 

 and our men told us that it seemed a truly happy meeting. 

 He himself had greatly enjoyed his little cruise from home 

 of nearly two days and a night ; and the Soa-side of St 

 Kilda he had never before seen from the sea. We our- 

 selves were much gratified by all we saw and heard, and 

 will long cherish the recollection of scenes which made a 

 deep impression upon our minds, however feebly we may 

 have conveyed it to those of others. Our acquaintance 

 with Mr Mackenzie was also a source of great satisfaction, 

 and we hope for its renewal at some future time. There 

 is something, we think, very solemn and even elevating in 

 the idea of that person's position, humble and almost fur- 

 lorn though it may seem. Separated so entirely from the 

 world, with not a single native on the island who can 

 enter into any community of subjects with him, so far as 

 relates to the ordinary topics which occupy the minds of 

 other men, or to those unforgotten though departed periods 

 of his own earlier life to which in secret he cannot 1 lp 

 reverting, his thoughts must become disentangled from 



many frivolous and vain expectations and pursuits by which 



2 A 



