Ossian Collection > Journal of a tour in Scotland in

62 JOURNAL OF A TOUR IN SCOTLAND
mile and half on this side of the town, we
met Mr Mitchell and Mr Gibb, two of Mr
Telford's aid-de-camps, who were come thus
far to meet him. The former he calls his
Tartar, from his cast of comitenance which
is very much like a Tartar's, and from his
Tartar-like mode of life, for in his office of
Overseer of the Roads which are under the
management of the Commissioners, he travels
on horseback not less than 6000 miles a year.
Mr Telford found him in the situation of a
working mason, who could scarcely write or
read ; but noticing him for his good conduct,
his activity, and his firm steady character he
has brought him forward, and Mitchell now
holds a post of respectability and importance,
and performs his business with excellent
ability. We left the coach and descended
with them to the harbour, the first of the
Parliamentary works in this direction. It
is a small pier, which at the cost of something
less than 2000£ will secure this little, wild,
dangerous, but not unimportant port — not
unimportant, because coal and lime are landed
here from Sunderland, and corn shipped,
much being raised in the adjoining country.
Mr Gibb has the management of the work.
The pier will be finished in about two months.