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CHAPTER XX. 



SCOTLAND. 



SCOTLAND exhibits one of the most striking examples of 

 the power of man over nature. I know of only one 

 country which can be compared with it in this respect, and 

 that is Holland. Switzerland even does not present such 

 great obstacles to human industry ; but what adds still 

 more to this marvellous rise of prosperity upon so 

 ungrateful a soil is, that it is all recent. The ante- 

 cedents of Scotland are different from those of Eng- 

 land. Only a century ago it was one of the poorest and 

 most barbarous countries in Europe ; but now, although 

 the last remains of its ancient poverty have not quite 

 disappeared, it may be said that, upon the whole, there 

 is not a better regulated country under the sun. 



The total production during the last hundred years 

 has increased tenfold. Agricultural products alone have 

 increased in an enormous ratio. In place of the periodical 

 scarcities which formerly devastated the country, and 

 one especially, which lasted from 1693 to 1700, leaving 

 an indelible impression, alimentary commodities are now 

 produced there in such abundance as to admit of a very 

 large export. Scotch agriculture is at this day supe- 

 rior even to English, in some districts at least. It is 

 to the model farms of Scotland people send their sons 

 to be taught farming. The best books upon farming 



