NORTHUMBERLAND, &c. xxvii 



roads that were made upon this and other bordering counties : 

 if we but view the many murders, outrages, and continual 

 robberies almoft daily committed ; and obferve how in former 

 ages the kingdom of France was almoft always ftri6tly leagued 

 with the Scotch Kings : if we but confider, how conveniently that 

 kingdom lies for the incendiaries of Europe to form all their 

 bloody defigns againft us, how continually we were expofed, 

 -what hazards we run, when a Scotch independent Sovereign had 

 adiftinct power, and could at pleafure open thofe fluices, which 

 mould let in a deluge of miferies upon us : upon all thefe ac- 

 counts, we have a great deal of reafon to blefs the divine pre- 

 venting grace in removing thofe evils, and placing them at the 

 greateft poffible diftance from us. Great is the caufe we have 

 to blefs the day, when we began to wear the name and character 

 of GREAT BRITONS. Weof this COUNTY have fhared largely in the 

 bleffings of that day, which I cannot help celebrating ; and may 

 it long be celebrated in the Britijh annals, and the latcft records 

 of time ! We have had opportunities of looking more inquifi- 

 tively into our rich and wealthy mines, and have drawn forth in 

 greater quantities thofe ufeful and hidden treafures, wherewith 

 the divine providence hath, in a diilinguifliing manner, enriched 

 this mountainous part of our BritiJJj iile. We have had opportu- 

 nities of augmenting our trade, of improving our barren lands, 

 of making public and private roads, and of doing many other 

 laudable and good things, of which I fliall take notice in the 

 CQurfe of this work. 



CONTENTS 



