266 EEMINISCENCES OP THE LEWS. 



him to hang a httle more upon it. Like the 

 old hound, he will keep sniffing about a scent, 

 still remembering how once he could throw his 

 head to the wind and run it breast high. 



It has been my endeavour in these reminis- 

 cences to give a thoroughly truthful and im- 

 partial account of a wild region — its pros and 

 cons. Those as well acquainted with the 

 country as myself tell me I have succeeded in 

 doing so. I have written, too, with a sincere 

 love for the Lews warming my heart, and the 

 wish therefore to do it good. I feel bound to 

 do so, not only in gratitude for the happy times 

 spent there, but for the repeated acts of disin- 

 terested kindness received at the hands of many, 

 many of its inhabitants. I believe I have left 

 some friends, few enemies, in that country, and 

 feel certain that if polled, the great majority of the 

 Lewisians will do full justice to these Reminis- 

 cences'and the spirit in which they are written. 

 Of course, no one expects or wishes to please 

 the whole world — nay, more, as some celebrity 

 once said of another, " Thank God, he has 

 always abused me ! " and there may be, and 

 no doubt are, those who are highly offended at 

 the freedom of these Reminiscences. Of such 

 the opinion is to me matter of the most supreme 



