xlii INTRODUCTION. 



added "that the other tenants complained of this crofter 

 (Nicolson), but he himself had no ill-will towards him. He 

 thought, however, his eviction was perfectly justifiable." 



Mr. Maclachlan " had no doubt it would involve a long 

 inquiry to prove Nicolson's misconduct ; but he would say 

 that the impression which this eviction left on his mind, at 

 the time was, that it was a most high-handed and arbitrary 

 exercise of the landlord's legal rights." (Loud applause.) 



Mr. Macdonald " That was only your impression." 



Lord Napier " We are quite sure that in this matter Mr. 

 Maclachlan acted a most honourable and humane part 

 according to his judgment." (Loud applause.) 



An incomplete account of this shameful story appeared 

 in almost every newspaper and in every language in Europe. 

 It has been the theme of conversation and adverse criti- 

 cism in every club and household in the kingdom, and 

 further comment here is quite unnecessary. The mere 

 record of the facts is enough to make every freeborn 

 Briton blush for the fair fame of his native land. 



EVICTION RESULTS IN SKYE. 



These Skye evictions affected directly some seven hundred 

 families, each, on an average, representing at least five 

 persons, and making a grand total of more than three 

 thousand five hundred souls, not less than two thousand 

 of whom were evicted, during the last half century, from the 

 property of MacLeod of MacLeod ! What physical misery, 

 what agony of soul these figures represent, it is impossible 

 even to imagine ! The number of those removed in Skye, 

 as elsewhere, from one portion of the island to another, 

 even from one part of an estate to another, can never 

 be ascertained ; and the misery and loss endured by 



