Ossian Collection > Highlands and Western Isles of Scotland > Volume 4

INDOLENCE. 315
quillity, the moment that it becomes displeasing to them, or
that they fancy they have gained money enough. It is quite
notorious that this was the case with the labourers on the
Caledonian Canal : and hence it was, that one of the main
objects of that well-intended project, the finding employ-
ment for the Highlanders, was defeated. Hence the Rent
services formerly mentioned; as the Landlords would
otherwise procure no hands, or else the people would quit
them, even in the middle of their work, should the fit of
idleness come on. For the same reason, it was found ne-
cessary to import quarry-men from the Lowlands into Sky
and into Assynt, to work on the marble and limestone
quarries; as the Highlanders considered it as too hard
work, and would not persevere beyond a few days, even
when induced to commence. Mr. Joplin's quarries, and
those of Lord Macdonald, were thus wrought by Low-
landers, transported at a considerable expense, when the
Highlanders, on the very spot, were lounging about and
looking on. All this, however, is nearly confined to those
who have not yet received the contamination of Lowland
improvement ; as, in the slate quarries of Seil and Bala-
hulish, and when employed in the towns, they are as ac-
tive workmen as the Lowlanders. If, to us, this seems to
imply censure, it cannot so be felt by them; since it is a
source of imaginary merit and of self-gratulation. That
it is very generally true, in spite of the exceptions I have
just noticed, is proved by the conduct of Highland
proprietors themselves, in preferring Low Country la-
bourers, tenants, and fishermen, and even in advertising-
for them as " preferred." This is the opinion of a High-
lander about his own countrymen, and it cannot therefore
fail to be true : while, being noticed in the work of our
friend Col. Stewart, it must be a fact.
It is partly to the difference of character among dif-
ferent districts, and partly to other causes, that we must
look for the very contradictory statements that are made
respecting- the Highland character for industry. My
inclination is to make their apology when I can. Man is