ll rise in his mind at a sudden call; and if he has
any hope of supernatural help, why may he not as well receive it when he
writes as when he speaks?

In the variety of mental powers, some must perform extemporary prayer
with much imperfection; and in the eagerness and rashness of
contradictory opinions, if publick liturgy be left to the private
judgment of every Minister, the congregation may often be offended or
misled.

There is in Scotland, as among ourselves, a restless suspicion of popish
machinations, and a clamour of numerous converts to the Romish religion.
The report is, I believe, in both parts of the Island equally false. The
Romish religion is professed only in Egg and Canna, two small islands,
into which the Reformation never made its way. If any missionaries are
busy in the Highlands, their zeal entitles them to respect, even from
those who cannot think favourably of their doctrine.

The political tenets of the Islanders I was not curious to investigate,
and they were not eager to obtrude. Their conversation is decent and
inoffensive. They disdain to drink for their principles, and there is no
disaffection at their tables. I never heard a health offered by a
Highlander that might not have circulated with propriety within the
precincts of the King's palace.

Legal government has yet something of novelty to which they cannot
perfectly conform. The ancient spirit, that appealed only to the sword,
is yet among them. The tenant of Scalpa, an island belonging to
Macdonald, took no care to bring his rent; when the landlord talked of
exacting payment, he declared his resolution to keep his ground, and
drive all intruders from the Island, and continued to feed his cattle as
on his own land, till it became necessary for the Sheriff to dislodge him
by violence.

The various kinds of superstition which prevailed here, as in all other
regions of ignorance, are by the diligence of the Ministers almost
extirpated.

Of Browny, mentioned by Martin, nothing has been heard for many years.
Browny was a sturdy Fairy; who, if he was fed, and kindly treated, would,
as they said, do a great deal of work. They now pay him no wages, and
are content to labour for themselves.

In Troda, within these three-and-thirty years, milk was put every
Saturday for Greogach, or 'the Old Man with the Long Beard.' Whether
Greogach was courted as kind, or dreaded as terrible, whether they meant,
by giving him the milk, to obtai