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, Iona and Cannay ai'e 
in like manner visited, and an expedition is planned 
for Staifa. In this ho 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 tolcen 
Of lieaven’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- 
