tl 



78 APPENDIX, No. VIL 



dance of pafture for his flock, even in the depth of Vvlti^ 

 ter *. 



There are doubtlefs many refpectable friends to the 

 profperitj of the Highlands, who, dhliking the increafe 

 of flieep farms, may not be inclined to relifh any idea 

 that can tend to render them lefs hazardous, and confe- 

 quently more prevalent. Nor .is it pofllble to form a 

 decided opinion on the propriety of extending fheep 

 farms in that part of the kingdom, without more ex- 

 perience than we have as yet acquired, and more facts 

 to judge from, than have as yet been collected. The 

 Highlands at prefent are in general peopled by a num- 

 ber of fmall farmers, who maintain themfelves by the 

 produce of the fmall fpots of arable land they cultivate, 

 and who pay the rent of the landlord, from the profit of 

 the cattle they poiTefs. The indolence in which they 

 can indulge themfelves, and the abundance of fuel they 

 enjoy (an important article in a cold climate), with thft 

 natural attachment which every individual muft feel 

 for his native foil and birth-place, make them attached 

 to that mode of living, and unwilling to quit it. In a 

 public view, alfo, a brave and hardy race of men, who, 

 without much detriment to agriculture, or to commercial 

 induftry, can at once be converted into foldiers, is an ob-i 

 ject of great importance ; and the want of which, were 

 it loft, the public might fenfibly feel, in very critical 

 emergencies f . At the fame time it is certain, that the 



rent 



* It Is fuppofed, that every flieep farmer will preferve the leaft ftony, 

 and moft fertile part of his farm, for the cxprefs purpofe of winter pafture, 

 to be cleaned of fuow by thefe machines. In that cafe, his flock can ne- 

 ver periih for want of food. 



. f There is a ftriking alteration in the appearance of the people, where 

 flieep faniis have taken place in the Highlands. Being better clothed. 



