iful crop or a dry harvest. The cattle which have
survived the famine of the winter, are turned out to the mountains;
and, having put his domestic affairs into the best situation which a
train of accumulated misfortunes admits of, he resumes the oar,
either in quest of herring or the white fishery. If successful in the
latter, he sets out in his open boat upon a voyage (taking the
Hebrides and the opposite coast at a medium distance) of two hundred
miles, to vend his cargo of dried cod, ling, etc., at Greenock or
Glasgow. The product, which seldom exceeds twelve or fifteen pounds,
is laid out, in conjunction with his companions, upon meal and
fishing tackle; and he returns through the same tedious navigation.
The autumn calls his attention again to the field; the usual round of
disappointment, fatigue, and distress awaits him; thus dragging
through a wretched existence in the hope of soon arriving in that
country where the weary shall be at rest."[9]

The writer most pitiably laments that twenty thousand of these wretched
people had to leave their homes and famine-struck condition, and the
oppression of their lairds, for lands and houses of their own in a
fairer and more fertile land, where independence and affluence were at
their command. Nothing but misery and degradation at home; happiness,
riches and advancement beyond the ocean. Under such a system it would be
no special foresight to predict a famine, which came to pass in 1770 and
again in 1782-3. Whatever may be the evils under the clan system, and
there certainly were such, none caused the oppression and misery which
that devoted people have suffered since its abolishment. So far as
contentment, happiness, and a wise regard for interest, it would have
been better for the masses had the old system continued. As a matter of
fact, however, those who emigrated found a greater latitude and brighter
prospects for their descendants.

From what has been stated it will be noticed that it was a matter of
necessity and not a spirit of adventure that drove the mass of
Highlanders to America; but those who came, nevertheless, were
enterprising and anxious to carve out their own fortunes. Before
starting on the long and perilous journey across the Atlantic they were
first forced to break the mystic spell that bound them to their native
hills and glens, that had a charm and an association bound by a sacred
tie. A venerable divine of a