256 THE JOURNEYMAN. 



defence to the advances of an enemy equally potent and 

 more insidious. That luxury whose waves are rolling 

 over and obliterating every better trait of character 

 which once distinguished the Lowland Scotch, shall find 

 its boundary of shore on the skirts of these mountains. 

 Nations like individuals become old, and they at length 

 expire ; but though symptoms of age are apparent in the 

 southern districts of the kingdom, those of the northern 

 Highlands are still full of the vigour of youth; and 

 while the moralist may find reason to describe the in- 

 habitants of the latter as a remnant of people happily 

 preserved from the inundation which has devastated the 

 plain below, the patriot may as rationally regard them as 

 thews and sinews of the State, ready to be exerted in 

 preserving to our otherwise enfeebled country her name 

 and place among the nations. 



' These agreeable reflections were dissipated by the 

 contemplation of a scene the most melancholy we ever 

 witnessed. Our path lay along the brow of a hill, over- 

 looking a valley that, unlike the others which we had 

 previously seen, was comparatively level and of consider- 

 able extent. A small stream winded through the centre, 

 and on either side there were irregularly-shaped patches 

 of vivid green, which were encircled by the brown heath, 

 like islands by the ocean. As we advanced, we saw 

 the ruins of deserted cottages, and perceived that the 

 patches adjoining had once been furrowed by the plough. 

 All was solitary and desolate. Roof-trees were decay- 

 ing within mouldering walls, a rank vegetation had 

 covered the silent floors, and was wavering over hearths 

 the fires of which had been for ever extinguished. A 

 solitary lapwing was screaming over the cottages, a 

 melancholy raven was croaking on a neighbouring emin- 

 ence, there was the faint murmur of the stream, and the 



