otland could be capable of answering that
purpose; but he demonstrated the contrary: For, though there was not a
great number large enough for masts to ships of the greatest burthen;
yet there were millions, fit for all smaller vessels; and planks and
banks, proper for every sort of building.--One ship was built entirely
of it; and a report was made, that never any better timber was brought
from any part of the world: But he found many difficulties in this
undertaking; yet had sagacity to overcome them all (as far as his own
management extended) for when the trees were by his order chain'd
together into floats, the ignorant Highlanders refus'd to venture
themselves on them down the river Spey; till he first went himself, to
make them sensible there was no danger.--In which passage however, he
found a great obstacle in the rocks, by which that river seemed
impassible; but on these he ordered fires to be made, when by the
lowness of the river they were most expos'd; and then had quantities of
water thrown upon them: Which method being repeated with the help of
proper tools, they were broke in pieces and thrown down, which made the
passage easy for the floats.

This affair was carried on to a very good account, till those concern'd
thought proper to call off the men and horses from the woods of
Abernethy, in order to employ them in their lead mines in the same
country; from which they hoped to make greater advantage.

The magistrates of Inverness paid him the compliment of making him a
present of the freedom of that place (at an elegant entertainment made
by them on that occasion) a favour likewise offered him at Aberdeen, &c.

After a stay of several months in the Highlands, during which time he
visited the duke and duchess of Gordon, who distinguished him with great
civilities, he went to York, and other places in that country; where his
wife then was, with some relations, for the recovery of her health; but
his staying longer there (on that account) than he intended, had like to
have proved of unhappy consequence; by giving room for some, who
imagined (as they wished) that he would not return, to be guilty of a
breach of trust that aimed at the destruction of great part of what he
then was worth; but they were disappointed.

In that retirement in the North, he wrote a poem intitled, The Progress
of Wit, a Caveat for the use of an eminent Writer. It was composed of
the genteelest praise, and keenest allegorical satire