THE UISTS AND BARRA. 281 



the prevalence of theft to relieve their actual necessities. 

 This striking indictment was therefore the occasion of the 

 stringent provisions in the bond relating to the consumption 

 of strong drink, which the Act of Council duly confirmed.* 

 These Acts throw a strong light upon the social con- 

 ditions of the Hebrides at this period. Education, even 

 in its most elementary forms, was at a low ebb, and some 

 of the chiefs were unable to sign their own names. The 

 prevalence of the drinking habits mentioned by the Acts, 

 receives ample confirmation from the testimony of the sean- 

 achies, who gloried in the flowing bowl, and measured 

 the popularity of the chiefs by their capacity for wine, and 

 their generosity in keeping the beakers of their guests well 

 filled. MacVurich, in a glowing panegyric upon Rory Mor 

 and his hospitality, refers to the " overflowing cups " of 

 that chief, and his " generous wine" which would " overcome 

 the hardiest heroes." Rory Mor's famous drinking horn 

 in Dunvegan Castle is a standing proof of that chiefs 

 capacity for his " generous wine." The reduced quantities 

 permitted to the chiefs by the Council, were sufficiently 

 large to furnish eloquent testimony to the superabundant 

 hospitality which preceded the restriction ; the feasts, 

 which sometimes lasted for days, were conducted on a 

 scale of magnificence which puts far in the shade the most 

 lavish of modern banquets. Incidentally, it may be noticed 

 that whiskey, which at the present day is so frequently 

 associated with the Highlands, was at this period, if not 

 unknown, at least not in common use. The prohibition of 

 the use of wine probably led to the distilling of " aquavity " 

 from barley and oats, whiskey not being wine " within the 

 meaning of the Act." Anti-prohibitionists may quote this 

 as an example of the evasions which follow attempts to 

 make people sober by Act of Parliament, but the advocates 

 of temperance reform will deplore the introduction to the 

 Hebrides of a liquor which, from their point of view, has 

 wrought so much mischief. 



* Xeg.ofP.C.,Vol.X. t p777. 



