Ossian Collection > Journey to the western islands of Scotland

WESTERN ISLANDS, &c. 351
it was wanted for ufe, and was confequently
the firft plunder of needy rapacity.
The chancel of the nuns* chapel is
covered with an arch of ftone, to which
time has done no injury; and a fmall
apartment communicating with the choir,
on the north fide, like the chapter-houfe
in cathedrals, roofed with ftone in the
fame manner, is likewife entire.
In one of the churches was a marble
altar, which the fuperftition of the inha-
bitants has deftroycd. Their opinion was,
that a fragment of this ftone was a defence
againft fhipwrecks, fire, and mifcarriages*
In one corner of the church the bafon for
holy water is yet unbroken.
The cemetery of the nunnery was, till
very lately, regarded with fuch reverence,
that only women were buried in it. Thefe
leliques of veneration always produce fome
mournful