n. This gentleman, whose name, I think, is Maclean,
should be regularly called Muck; but the appellation, which he thinks too
coarse for his Island, he would like still less for himself, and he is
therefore addressed by the title of, Isle of Muck.

This little Island, however it be named, is of considerable value. It is
two English miles long, and three quarters of a mile broad, and
consequently contains only nine hundred and sixty English acres. It is
chiefly arable. Half of this little dominion the Laird retains in his
own hand, and on the other half, live one hundred and sixty persons, who
pay their rent by exported corn. What rent they pay, we were not told,
and could not decently inquire. The proportion of the people to the land
is such, as the most fertile countries do not commonly maintain.

The Laird having all his people under his immediate view, seems to be
very attentive to their happiness. The devastation of the small-pox,
when it visits places where it comes seldom, is well known. He has
disarmed it of its terrour at Muack, by inoculating eighty of his people.
The expence was two shillings and sixpence a head. Many trades they
cannot have among them, but upon occasion, he fetches a smith from the
Isle of Egg, and has a tailor from the main land, six times a year. This
island well deserved to be seen, but the Laird's absence left us no
opportunity.

Every inhabited island has its appendant and subordinate islets. Muck,
however small, has yet others smaller about it, one of which has only
ground sufficient to afford pasture for three wethers.

At Dunvegan I had tasted lotus, and was in danger of forgetting that I
was ever to depart, till Mr. Boswell sagely reproached me with my
sluggishness and softness. I had no very forcible defence to make; and
we agreed to pursue our journey. Macleod accompanied us to Ulinish,
where we were entertained by the sheriff of the Island.

ULINISH

Mr. Macqueen travelled with us, and directed our attention to all that
was worthy of observation. With him we went to see an ancient building,
called a dun or borough. It was a circular inclosure, about forty-two
feet in diameter, walled round with loose stones, perhaps to the height
of nine feet. The walls were very thick, diminishing a little toward the
top, and though in these countries, stone is not brought far, must have
been raised with much labour. Within the great circle were several
smaller roun