owever uncertain, deserve the notice of the
traveller, because they are the only records of a nation that has no
historians, and afford the most genuine representation of the life and
character of the ancient Highlanders.

Under the denomination of Highlander are comprehended in Scotland all
that now speak the Erse language, or retain the primitive manners,
whether they live among the mountains or in the islands; and in that
sense I use the name, when there is not some apparent reason for making a
distinction.

In Sky I first observed the use of Brogues, a kind of artless shoes,
stitched with thongs so loosely, that though they defend the foot from
stones, they do not exclude water. Brogues were formerly made of raw
hides, with the hair inwards, and such are perhaps still used in rude and
remote parts; but they are said not to last above two days. Where life
is somewhat improved, they are now made of leather tanned with oak bark,
as in other places, or with the bark of birch, or roots of tormentil, a
substance recommended in defect of bark, about forty years ago, to the
Irish tanners, by one to whom the parliament of that kingdom voted a
reward. The leather of Sky is not completely penetrated by vegetable
matter, and therefore cannot be very durable.

My inquiries about brogues, gave me an early specimen of Highland
information. One day I was told, that to make brogues was a domestick
art, which every man practised for himself, and that a pair of brogues
was the work of an hour. I supposed that the husband made brogues as the
wife made an apron, till next day it was told me, that a brogue-maker was
a trade, and that a pair would cost half a crown. It will easily occur
that these representations may both be true, and that, in some places,
men may buy them, and in others, make them for themselves; but I had both
the accounts in the same house within two days.

Many of my subsequent inquiries upon more interesting topicks ended in
the like uncertainty. He that travels in the Highlands may easily
saturate his soul with intelligence, if he will acquiesce in the first
account. The Highlander gives to every question an answer so prompt and
peremptory, that skepticism itself is dared into silence, and the mind
sinks before the bold reporter in unresisting credulity; but, if a second
question be ventured, it breaks the enchantment; for it is immediately
discovered, that what was told so confidently was told at hazard,