Ossian Collection > Journey to the western islands of Scotland

'WESTERN ISLANDS, &c. 225
where there was formerly an infurre^tion,
there is now a wildernefs.
It has been a queftioh often agitated
without folution, why thofe northern regi-
ons are now fo thinly peopled, which for-
merly overwhelmed with their armies the
Roman empire. The queftion fuppofes wha-t
I believe is not true, that they had once
more inhabitants than they could maintain,
and overflowed only becaufe they were full.
This is to eflimate the manners of all
countries and ages by our own. Migration,
while the ftate of life vvas unfettled, and there
was little communication of intelligence be^
tween diftant places, was among the wildei*
nations of Europe, capricious and cafual.
An adventurous projedior heard of a fertile
coaft unoccupied, and led out a colony ; a
chief of renown for bravery, called the young
men together, and led them out to try
what fortune would prefent. When Csefar
* Q^ was