Ossian Collection > Journey to the western islands of Scotland

WESTERN ISLANDS, &c. 217
placid and the timorous. Youth therefore
flies at power, and age grovels after
riches.
The Chiefs, divefted of their preroga-
tives, neceffarily turned their thoughts to
the improvement of their revenues, and
exped: more rent, as they have lefs ho-
mage. The tenant, who is far from per-
ceiving that his condition is made better in
the fame proportion, as that of his land-
lord is made worfe, does not immediately
fee why his induftry is to be taxed more
heavily than before. He refufes to pay the
demand, and is ejeded ; the ground is then
let to a ftranger, who perhaps brings a
larger ftock, but who, taking the land at
its full price, treats with the Laird upon
equal terms, and confiders him not as a
Chief, but as a trafficker in land. Thus
the eftate perhaps is improved, but the
clan is broken.
It