istrict of the
kingdom is not at all unworthy the attention which it seems but
beginning to draw, but which is already not restricted to one kingdom,
or even one continent.

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{1} 'I will go and inquire upon the spot whether the natives of
the county of SUTHERLAND were driven from the land of their birth
by the Countess of that name, and by her husband the Marquis of
Stafford.... I wish to possess authentic information relative to
that "CLEARING" affair; for though it took place twenty years
ago, it may be just as necessary to inquire into it now. It may
be quite proper to inquire into the means that were used to
effect the CLEARING.'--COBBETT.

'It is painful to dwell on this subject' [the present state of
Sutherland]; 'but as information communicated by men of honour,
judgment, and perfect veracity, descriptive of what they daily
witness, affords the best means of forming a correct judgment,
and as these gentlemen, from their situations in life, have no
immediate interest in the determination of the question, beyond
what is dictated by humanity and a love of truth, their authority
may be considered as undoubted.'--GENERAL STEWART of Garth.

'It is by a cruel abuse of legal forms--it is by an unjust
usurpation--that the _tacksman_ and the tenant of Sutherland are
considered as having no right to the land which they have
occupied for so many ages.... A count or earl has no more
right to expel from their homes the inhabitants of his county,
than a king to expel from his country the inhabitants of his
kingdom.'--SISMONDI.

CHAPTER II.

We heard sermon in the open air with a poor Highland congregation in
Sutherlandshire only a few weeks ago; and the scene was one which we
shall not soon forget. The place of meeting was a green hill-side,
near the opening of a deep, long withdrawing strath, with a river
running through the midst. We stood on the slope where the last of a
line of bold eminences, that form the southern side of the valley,
sinks towards the sea. A tall precipitous mountain, reverend and
hoary, and well fitted to tranquillize the mind, from the sober
solemnity that rests on its massy features, rose fronting us on the
north; a quiet burial-ground lay at its feet; while, on the opposite
side, between us and the sea, there frowned an ancient stronghold of
time-eaten stone--an impress