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as given in the reports. The intelligence of this ques- 

 tion is on a level with its courtesy. Factors are very 

 often the suggesters and almost always the surveyors of 

 agricultural improvements. In this respect I know of no 

 one class, equally limited in number, which has contri- 

 buted so largely to the wealth of the community. 

 But except in this way, the rise in value of all the 

 larger farms on my property — as elsewhere in Scot- 

 land generally — has been due to causes as indepen- 

 dent of factors as it could have been independent of 

 Doctors or of Attorneys. Even as regards the crofts, 

 their rents have been determined on a tariff whose 

 ultimate basis is the price of cattle and of other 

 produce, as well as the offers of the people them- 

 selves for vacant possessions. There is no temper of 

 mind so illiberal as that which dictates such sneers 

 against a whole profession. Mr. Fraser Mackintosh's 

 insinuation against Mr. Wyllie is as unfounded as it 

 was offensive. I can say with absolute truth that in 

 his advice to me, as well in the matter of the valuation 

 of land as in all others respecting the management of 

 my estate, I have always found that spirit of justice 

 and moderation which are so conspicuously absent in 

 the treatment he himself received. 



But Mr. Wyllie was not the only object of in- 

 -v-idious insinuation. For I have further to observe 

 that this same member of the Eoyal Commission, not 

 content with making unjust accusations against a 

 gentleman who is alive, thought proper to suggest 

 accusations still more ijross aorainst another oentle- 

 man who cannot now answ^er for himself. In ques- 

 tioning another witness, — a crofter who could not 

 possibly know anything of the matter, — Mr. Fraser 



