Volume 3 - Electric Scotland

10 BARRA.
cure it. They are in fact a sober people ; whether from
necessity, I will not pretend to say; but I really believe
that, as happens in the case of many other habits aban-
doned from compulsion, they would be far soberer than
their English neighbours, even if they had the power of
being otherwise. This is a natural consequence of their
laudable economy and foresight ; of the care they take
of their families, and of the provision they are attentive
to make for their rents, as for futurity. Exceptions there
must be ; but it is high praise to a Highlander that he
does not, like his profligate neighbour of England, consume
in riot and personal gratification that which is ne-
cessary for those who are dependent on him. These are
among the real and solid merits which are overlooked by
those who are fierce in the defence of idle and visionary
ones. It is the fate of poor Donald to find least jus-
tice from his pretended friends ; as is not uncommon.
There is more ardent spirit drank in London alone than
in all the Highlands collectively ;
and indeed a traveller
like myself will often have occasion to lament, when wet
and weary, that he cannot procure it, even in their inns.
" Withers,Prynn, and Vicars," never drank " viler liquors"
than is this common whisky, I must admit, as far as my
own taste at least goes; but we do not wait to taste it on
these occasions.
I was here amused with the distress of the people from
the want of tobacco ;
the American war having raised its
price beyond their means of purchase. The Highlanders
are reputed to be very much addicted to its use; but this
is just as true of tobacco as of whisky. They are doubt-
less very glad to get it, as are most idle people ; but it is
not often in their power to purchase it. It is indeed in
snufF that their sole consumption, at any time, lies ; nor
do I recollect to have once seen a pipe in the country.