Volume 3 - Electric Scotland

298 PLANTING.
being uneven, and projecting every where in irregular
and bold rocky precipices. Thus they descend to the very
margin of the water, indenting its outline in an intri-
cate manner, and forming innumerable bays, creeks, and
promontories ; every one of which presents a new pic-
ture, produced by fore-grounds that are ever varying,
and that are always bold and full of character. In many
places, being* interspersed with rocks and islands, they
present additional variety.
If the traveller regrets the want of wood, well may
the proprietor of the soil do the same. That all these
shores have once been covered with trees, is certain ;
nor
are there any physical obstacles, on the eastern shore at
least, which could not be overcome. Norway, with similar
features, a worse exposure, and the same rocks, is covered
with woods. But that country has never been denuded ;
and as an apology for the proprietors, who are here too
often unjustly accused of neglect, it must be remembered
that the creation of a forest from nothing, is a heavy and
tedious task : its preservation is comparatively easy. In
a country so thoroughly pastoral as this, nothing can be
done without enclosure. This is a difficulty which, in
most places, cannot be overcome, for want of capital to
expend on improvements of which the returns are not
immediate, and from the wants or habits of the pro-
prietors, who are too often intent on procuring from the
soil the utmost immediate rent which it can be made to
yield. Asa question of ornament, it is in vain to expect
that those who do not reside on their estates, can take any
great pleasure in planting them.
Yet I fear that the peculiar indolence of the Highland
character must be considered among the obstacles : a
moral one which time may overcome. Many islands are
scattered about, that would require no enclosure ; and
there are many headlands and peninsular appendages.