Ossian Collection > Defence of the Scots Highlanders, in general; and some learned characters, in particular

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mation given him, though at the expencc
of his time, which might have been em-
ployed to better advantage ; and this frank-
nefs in alking and giving news is accompa-
nied with extreme mode fly and good man-
ners, and they are cautious of giving offence
to the ftrangers.
Even the weft Hebridians will immedi-
ately go on board every veflel that comes
into an harbour. And if long without feeing
veffels in their harbour to bring news, they
will at times go out to fea, aftei* veffels that
are paffmg by their coafts, for information ;
and as molt of thefe poor men have fpent
much of their time either in the army, navy,
or mercantile line ; fo it renders their con-
verfation both agreeable and edifying; and
all thefe things principally arife from their
acute penetrating difpofition.
I am certain that it is not only invidious,
but dangerous, to run comparifons between
nations, and few men of real prudence will
be guilty of an offence fo obnoxious. Here,
however, the author is provoked to make
a ftretch, which otherwife his natural dif-
pofition