e arrant knaves, and among every
assemblage of mortals such will ever be found in time to leaven the
whole mass. These and friaries and convents were not abolished a day
too soon; and, advanced as the present generation esteems itself, I am
very sure that if we were to shut up a dozen men together, picked from
among the most learned and enlightened students at our universities, or
the same number of the most charming women to be found, and insist on
their living as celibates to the end of their days, and devoting
themselves to a certain routine of strict forms and ceremonies, they
would very soon come to loggerheads, and do more harm to themselves and
others than they could possibly do good. The wisest men in all the
nations of Europe have seen the necessity of abolishing the conventual
system, and I cannot suppose that English men and women are more likely
to be holy and immaculate than the people of other countries. The whole
thing is an illusion; and I am very sure that the system, if, as
according to the wishes of some, it should again prevail in England,
would only tend to the corruption of those who are beguiled by it, and
to the dishonour of true religion."

"You are right, admiral, and certainly my wife does not advocate the
re-establishment of monasteries in this country," remarked Alick.

"Oh no, no! I was thinking rather of the past," said Stella; "and
probably, if we could look into the interior of convents in their best
days, we should see much to grieve and shock us."

The tide was on the ebb, and as the cutter passed through the narrows at
Connel Ferry, she pitched and tossed in the turbulent current, here
forming a perfect race, in a way which put a stop to further
conversation. The breeze being steady, she, however, with Murray's
skilful handling, ran through and glided forward on her course. Now
Dunstaffnage Castle, standing on a slight elevation near the shore, came
in sight--a picturesque ruin, its high walls and round towers rising
boldly against the sky. Farther on appeared Dunolly Castle--an
ivy-clad, square keep, in former times the seat of the Macdougals of
Lorne; and now the cutter entered the bay of Oban, with the long island
of Kerrera on the right, and brought up amid a fleet of small craft and
coasters. A steamer on her way to Glasgow was waiting for passengers,
and the party had just time to get on board before she began paddling on
to the southward.

"You will take good care o