( 30 ) 



farm of ^50 rental, where I often visit her, and where 

 I trust she and her descendants may continue to be 

 found for many and many a long day. 

 Case of Farm of Another excellent example is the case of the farm 

 Scamisb. ^^ Scarnish. In 1847 it had come to be subdivided 



between fifteen tenants — most of them with posses- 

 sions of the very smallest class — ranging from 20s. to 

 £2) rent. But one of the tenants afforded a nucleus 

 for consolidation, as he already possessed four of the 

 subdivisions, and paid £6, i6s. of rent. But even 

 this small advantage, with a corresponding share of 

 intelligence and of industry, gave to this crofter a 

 start, of which he has known how to take advantage, 

 whilst it has been a pleasure and a satisfaction to me 

 to reward his exertions. As others fell back in the 

 race, he has pressed forward. It has been a regular 

 case — not of the substitution of a stranger but of the 

 promotion of a native. It has been an illustration of 

 the " survival of the fittest." I have lately had the 

 satisfaction of seeino; this fine old man — Allan Mac- 

 fadyen — hale and vigorous at the age of eighty-six — 

 the tenant of the largest part of the whole farm, and 

 sharing it with one other only of the original crofters, 

 who has risen like himself out of that class, and now 

 holds a little farm above the ;^30 line. 

 (Jtber cases of im- There are several other farms on the Island which 



proved condition of i^^gl^^^ to the same class, ranging above £$0 and 

 tenants. o ? o o 



below ;^200 a year, and these are all occupied by 



natives of the Island, who once had much less com- 

 fortable possessions. With regard to the old farms 

 of still larger size, which had long been held by 

 individual tenants of the "Tacksmen" class, and had 

 never been subdivided, none of the crofters have had 



