24 EEMINISCENCES OF THE LEWS. 



and, not knowing well what to do with it, lavished 

 it broadcast on his newly-acquired property. 

 The potato crop failed, and the famine took 

 place two or three years after he came in. The 

 new proprietor had the means of keeping his 

 people alive, and right magnificently did he do 

 his work. Though he may eventually have got 

 back some part of the large sums he had 

 advanced for food, in labour on his numerous 

 buildings and improvements throughout the 

 country, yet — honour to whom honour is due ! 

 — but for Matheson, the Lewisians would have 

 starved (there was no poor-law then), and 

 deservedly should he have his niche among the 

 benefactors of mankind. Besides this, he made 

 roads where none were before, and opened 

 the country. By great outlays he established 

 regular steam navigation between Lewis and 

 the mainland, thereby, alas ! making its 

 existence known — which then it was not — to 

 an inquisitive public. By putting on two 

 steamers of his own, he made a trade, which, 

 when given up by himself, Glasgow was willing 

 to take up. He built a very good slip for the 

 building and repairing of vessels. He built a 

 good, commodious castle, and kept constantly 

 at work a large body of the Stornowegians in 

 the various works and improvements about it. 



