Ossian Collection > Journey to the western islands of Scotland

^50 A JOURNEY TO THE
could not be violated without the blackej[t
infamy. In thofe days of violence and
rapine, it was of great importance to im-
prefs upon favage minds the fandity of art
oath, by fome particular and extraordinary
circumftances. They would not have re-
courfe to the black ftones, upon fmall or
common occafions, and when they had
eftablilhed their faith by this tremendous
fandion, inconftaucy and treachery were
no longer feared.
The chapel of the nunnery is now ufed
by the inhabitants as a kind of general
cow-houfe, and the bottom is confequently
too miry for examination. Some of the
ftones which covered the later abbefles have
infcriptions, which might yet be read, if
the chapel were cleanfed. The roof of
this, as of all the other buildings, is totally
deftroyed, not only becaufe timber quick-
ly decays when it is negleded, but be-
caufe in an illand utterly deftitute of wood,
it