Lady Victoria Campbell

246 " ETHICA "
" It is not fit for your Ladyship," was a well-
worn expostulation, and only added to the humours
of the day. " Don't say anything about it," was the
answer she always received, and Knowles knew by
the experience of revolving years that it was not
of the slightest use to say anything for or against
such transits.
Gott Bay was a spot where landings could often
be effected when Scarinish Harbour was impossible.
The aggravation of seeing the mails pass and passen-
gers return to their distant dwellings was much
enhanced by knowing that, but for the red-tape which
binds the Post Office and its contracts, the mails
might often have rejoiced the hearts of the storm-
staid, if both harbours had been available.
One captain, who was a native of Tiree, managed
to achieve greater things in this way than others
who had no great desire to lie off Tiree in a contrary
wind ; and Gott Bay was to be the site of that pier
Lady Victoria rejoiced to see running out into the
sea, but which she was never destined to tread.
Every bit of the construction of the pier meant
as great a battle with the powers that be, as the
engineers were to fight later on with the foundations,
and against the tides and storms of the site.
Through it all Lady Victoria led. Her unresting
pen brought the island within the practical politics
of the Offices of State. The official forms of " do-
nothingness " were hurled in vain at her. Impor-
tunity she understood as an art, and unjust judges
of every sphere and scope fell wearied at her feet.