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obliged to change their name。 They obeyed so far； as to call
themselves severally Campbell； Graham； or Drummond； the surnames
of the families of Argyle； Montrose； and Perth； that they might
enjoy the protection of those houses； but they still added
M'Gregor to their new appellation； and as their chief was
deprived of his estate； they robbed and plundered for his
subsistence。 Mr Cameron of Lochiel； the chief of that clan；
whose father was attainted for having been concerned in the last
rebellion； returning from France in obedience to a proclamation
and act of parliament； passed at the beginning of the late war；
payed a visit to his own country； and hired a farm in the
neighbourhood of his father's house； which had been burnt to the
ground。 The clan； though ruined and scattered； no sooner heard of
his arrival than they flocked to him from all quarters； to
welcome his return； and in a few days stocked his farm with seven
hundred black cattle； which they had saved in the general wreck
of their affairs： but their beloved chief； who was a promising
youth； did not live to enjoy the fruits of their fidelity and
attachment。
The most effectual method I know to weaken； and at length destroy
this influence； is to employ the commonalty in such a manner as
to give them a taste of property and independence。 In vain the
government grants them advantageous leases on the forfeited
estates； if they have no property to prosecute the means of
improvement The sea is an inexhaustible fund of riches； but the
fishery cannot be carried on without vessels； casks； salt； lines；
nets； and other tackle。 I conversed with a sensible man of this
country； who； from a real spirit of patriotism had set up a
fishery on the coast； and a manufacture of coarse linen； for the
employment of the poor Highlanders。 Cod is here in such plenty；
that he told me he had seen several hundred taken on one line； at
one hawl It must be observed； however； that the line was of
immense length； and had two thousand hooks； baited with muscles；
but the fish was so superior to the cod caught on the banks of
Newfoundland； that his correspondent at Lisbon sold them
immediately at his own price； although Lent was just over when
they arrived； and the people might be supposed quite cloyed with
this kind of diet His linen manufacture was likewise in a
prosperous way； when the late war intervening； all his best hands
were pressed into the service。
It cannot be expected； that the gentlemen of this country should
execute commercial schemes to render their vassals independent；
nor； indeed； are such schemes suited to their way of life and
inclination； but a company of merchants might； with proper
management； turn to good account a fishery established in this
part of Scotland Our people have a strange itch to colonize
America； when the uncultivated parts of our own island might be
settled to greater advantage。
After having rambled through the mountains and glens of Argyle；
we visited the adjacent islands of Ila； Jura； Mull； and Icomkill。
In the first； we saw the remains of a castle； built in a lake；
where Macdonald； lord or king of the isles； formerly resided。
Jura is famous for having given birth to one Mackcrain； who lived
one hundred and eighty years in one house； and died in the reign
of Charles the Second。 Mull affords several bays； where there is
safe anchorage： in one of which； the Florida； a ship of the
Spanish armada； was blown up by one of Mr Smollett's ancestors
About forty years ago； John duke of Argyle is said to have
consulted the Spanish registers； by which it appeared； that this
ship had the military chest on board He employed experienced
divers to examine the wreck； and they found the hull of the
vessel still entire； but so covered with sand； that they could
not make their way between decks； however； they picked up several
pieces of plate； that were scattered about in the bay； and a
couple of fine brass cannon。
Icolmkill； or Iona； is a small island which St Columba chose for
his habitation It was respected for its sanctity； and college or
seminary of ecclesiastics Part of its church is still standing；
with the tombs of several Scottish； Irish； and Danish sovereigns；
who were here interred These islanders are very bold and
dexterous watermen； consequently the better adapted to the
fishery： in their manners they are less savage and impetuous than
their countrymen on the continent； and they speak the Erse or
Gaelick in its greatest purity。
Having sent round our horses by land； we embarked in the distinct
of Cowal； for Greenock； which is a neat little town； on the other
side of the Frith； with a curious harbour formed by three stone
jetties； carried out a good way into the sea Newport…Glasgow is
such another place； about two miles higher up。 Both have a face of
business and plenty； and are supported entirely by the shipping
of Glasgow； of which I counted sixty large vessels in these
harbours Taking boat again at Newport； we were in less than an
hour landed on the other side； within two short miles of our
head…quarters； where we found our women in good health and
spirits。 They had been two days before joined by Mr。 Smollett and
his lady； to whom we have such obligations as I cannot mention；
even to you； without blushing。
To…morrow we shall bid adieu to the Scotch Arcadia； and begin our
progress to the southward； taking our way by Lanerk and
Nithsdale； to the west borders of England。 I have received so
much advantage and satisfaction from this tour； that if my health
suffers no revolution in the winter； I believe I shall be tempted
to undertake another expedition to the Northern extremity of
Caithness； unencumbered by those impediments which now clog the
heels of；
Yours；
MATT。 BRAMBLE
CAMERON； Sept。 6。
To Miss LAETITIA WILLIS； at Gloucester。
MY DEAREST LETTY；
Never did poor prisoner long for deliverance； more than I have
longed for an opportunity to disburthen my cares into your
friendly bosom； and the occasion which now presents itself； is
little less than miraculous Honest Saunders Macawly； the
travelling Scotchman； who goes every year to Wales； is now at
Glasgow； buying goods； and coming to pay his respects to our
family； has undertaken to deliver this letter into your own hand
We have been six weeks in Scotland； and seen the principal towns
of the kingdom； where we have been treated with great civility
The people are very courteous； and the country being exceedingly
romantic； suits my turn and inclinations I contracted some
friendships at Edinburgh； which is a large and lofty city； full
of gay company； and； in particular； commenced an intimate
correspondence with one miss Rtn； an amiable young lady of my
own age； whose charms seemed to soften； and even to subdue the
stubborn heart of my brother Jery； but he no sooner left the
place than he relapsed into his former insensibility I feel；
however； that this indifference is not the family constitution I
never admitted but one idea of love； and that has taken such root
in my heart； as to be equally proof against all the pulls of
discretion； and the frosts of neglect。
Dear Letty！ I