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and to divide it into smaller but still comfortable 

 possessions. I believe it to be admirably adapted for 

 dairy-farming, and for the growth of the finest oats 

 and turnips. It has abundant shelter although it has 

 little or no wood. This arises from the steep faces 

 and sudden knolls into which the limestone strata 

 have been thrown, amidst the intricacies of which 

 cattle ai]d sheep can always find spots sheltered from 

 all winds. The island is close to a growing market 

 in the town and port of Oban ; and from the splendid 

 panorama of sea and mountains by which it is sur- 

 rounded, as well as the excellent trout-fishino; which 

 it affords, I am not without hope that in summer and 

 autumn, at least, it may have some market from 

 health-seekers within its own attractive shores. In 

 vision at least, if not in fact, I already see it botli 

 better peopled and better cultivated. Economic 

 causes of the same kind will operate in the same 

 direction in some other parts of the Highlands where 

 the difficulty of letting to advantage the very large 

 class of sheep farms is already telling in favour of 

 smaller possessions. 



I am, 



Your Lordship's obedient Servant, 



ARGYLL. 



Inveraray, Oct. i, 188,3. 



