26 MEMOIR OF PENNANT. 



From Hay sails to Oronsay, which is explored, its 

 ancient monastery and cross are described and illus- 

 trated by engravings ; and red -billed choughs are met 

 with in its cliffs. Colonsay, lona and Cannay are 

 in like manner visited, and an expedition is planned 

 for Staffa. In this he is, however, disappointed ; 

 and from the boisterous state of the weather, is ob- 

 liged to remain contented with a distant view from 

 the vessel of this singular rock. But in the pub- 

 lished tour there is a very good account of every 

 part of the island by Sir Joseph Banks, who was 

 more fortunate in his attempt to land here on his 

 voyage to Iceland. It is illustrated by five charac- 

 teristic views. The island of Mull and Skye next 

 engross the attention of our tourists ; and from the 

 latter they land on the mainland in Ross-shire, wish- 

 ing to proceed over land to the northern extremity 

 of Scotland. The attempt is made, but the party 

 are obliged to return " the same road, through a va- 

 riety of bog and hazardous rock, that nothing but 

 our shoeless little steeds could have carried us over: 



A wondrous token 

 Of heaven's kind care, with necks unbroken." 



Such was the state of the roads sixty years since, in 

 a country which, though, to the water's edge, bear- 

 ing almost an Arctic or Lapland stamp, is now tra- 

 versed by highways, over which in summer at least 

 the frailest vehicle would safely travel. For these 

 and other valuable improvements, the country is in- 



