Ossian Collection > Journey to the western islands of Scotland

WESTERN ISLANDS, &c. 233
once, by miffing a paflage, to the hut of a
gentleman, where, after a very liberal
fupper, when I was condudted to nay cham-
ber, I found an elegant bed of Indian cot-
ton, fpread with fine fheets. The accom-
modation was flattering ; I undrefled myfelf,
and felt my feet in the mire. The bed
flood upon the bare earth, which a long
courfe of rain had foftened to a puddle.
In paftoral countries the condition of the
loweft rank of people is fufficiently wretch-
ed. Among manufadurers, men that have
no property may have art and induftry,
which make them neceflary, and therefore
yaluable. But where flocks and corn are
the only wealth, there are always more
hands than work, and of that work there
is little in which fl^iil and dexterity can be
much diflinguifhed. Ke therefore who is
born poor never can be rich. The fon
merely occupies the place of the father, and
' ^ life