devised on
the spur of an emergency, and destined to be followed out in remote
localities, and under influences partaking, in no ordinary degree, of
the taint of human frailty. In some parts of the country, the local
committees have done their duty conscientiously and respectably; in
others we are afraid they are not entitled to the same praise. Yet, on
the whole, things have answered better than could have been expected;
and undoubtedly the greatest benefit was derived from the able
superintendence of the two general inspectors employed by the board,
Captain Eliott and Dr Boyter, whose services to the public in this
important duty cannot be too highly commended.

It is quite clear, however, that the local machinery, which was
necessarily or allowably resorted to at the outset, ought no longer to
be kept up, if further operations are required for the relief of
destitution. There must now be a more stringent examination of the
claims which may be preferred, and a more rigid enforcement of the
proper regulations, than could well be insisted for when the field was
new and the urgency irresistible. A continuance of any past laxity
would now be inexcusable and eminently mischievous, by tending to
perpetuate in the Highlands those social evils and anomalies which the
present calamity is naturally calculated to expose and extirpate.

It is almost needless to ask the question, whether the operations of
the Relief Board are still necessary. Every one acquainted with the
Highlands and Islands is aware that the results of last year's failure
of the potato are still at work, and must necessarily prolong the
distress for some time to come. The fund which has been subscribed for
the relief of that distress must necessarily, therefore, be employed
in its legitimate and destined purpose, until that purpose be
accomplished or the fund exhausted. Independently of any blight in the
present potato crop, great distress will arise from the limited
breadth of potatoes that has been planted, and from the fact that the
cottars, who, in other years, were allowed ground to plant potatoes
for themselves, have been deprived of that resource, from the
necessity of retaining the whole arable farms for the direct use of
the tenants and crofters. It is believed, also, that the corn crops of
this year, though highly favourable in the lower parts of the country,
have neither been so early nor so productive in the Islands as was at
one time expected.