340 RURAL ECONOMY OF ENGLAND. 



Everything promises that this valuable resource of the 

 Highlands will be preserved, and probably increased, by 

 human art. This is man's proper occupation in such a 

 country ; with pastures and forests, it is the only prac- 

 ticable and profitable kind of culture. 



That perfect security which the Highlands now enjoy 

 that dead silence of a land without inhabitants the 

 rocks, crags, waterfalls, and heather, with their romantic 

 and poetical associations all combine, despite the dulness 

 of the climate, to give a peculiar charm to a residence 

 among these mountains. Comfortable abodes have taken 

 the place of the huts of the clans. Not only have the 

 old chieftains built themselves castles upon the ruins of 

 the cottages, but wealthy Englishmen have purchased 

 large tracts of territory, and removed their residences 

 thither. There is now scarcely a desirable situation which 

 is not occupied by a modern mansion. The average cost 

 of land is about 30s. per acre, which gives a large extent 

 for little money. The houses stand many miles apart, 

 and the lands belonging to them are occupied solely by 

 sheep and grouse. Notwithstanding the bare and deserted 

 appearance of many of these houses, their interiors present 

 every comfort, which is always an agreeable contrast. 



Capital roads, and steamboats on the lakes, give easy 

 access to the most remote places. The general aspect of 

 the country is that of a vast park of many millions of 

 acres, where the greatest of landscape-gardeners has end- 

 lessly multiplied the most sublime effects. Thousands of 

 tourists wander over the country during the fine season, 

 if, to be sure, the summer of that country deserves the 

 name ; and this is another source of gain not less pro- 

 fitable than the others, which the " canny " Scotch take 

 good care to profit by. 



The finest of the noble residences is Taymouth Castle, 



