Ossian Collection > Journey to the western islands of Scotland

308 A JOURNEY TO THE
How ladies were portioned, when there
was no money, it would be difficult for an
EngliJIdman to guefs. In 1649, Maclean
of Dronart in Mtill married his fifter Fin-
gala to Maclean of Coll., with a hundred
and eighty kine; and ftipulated, that if fhe
became a widow, her jointure fhould be
three hundred and fixty. I fuppofe fome
proportionate trad: of land was appropriated
to their pafturage.
The difpofition to pompous and expenfive
funerals, which has at one time or other
prevailed in mofl: parts of the civilized
world, is not yet fuppreffed in the Iflands,
though fome of the ancient folemnities are
worn away, and fmgers are no longer hired
to attend the proceffion. Nineteen years
ago, at the burial of the Laird of Co/, were
killed thirty cows, and about fifty fheep.
The number of the cows is pofitively told,
and we muft fuppofe other victuals in like
proportion.
Mr.