The Expedition of Humphry Clinker

THE EXPEDITION OF HUMPHRY CLINKER 257
his habitation—It was respected for its sanctity, and college or
seminary of ecclesiastics—Part of its church is still standing, with
the tombs of several Scottish, Irish, and Danish sovereigns, who
were here interred—These islanders are very bold and dexterous
watermen, consequently the better adapted to the fishery: in their
manners they are less savage and impetuous than their countrymen
on the continent; and they speak the Erse or Gaelick in its greatest
purity.
Having sent round our horses by land, we embarked in the dis-
trict of Cowal, for Greenock, which is a neat little town, on the other
side of the Frith, with a curious harbour, formed by three stone
jetties, carried out a good way into the sea—Newport-Glasgow is
such another place, about two miles higher up—Both have a face
of business and plenty, and are supported entirely by the shipping
of Glasgow, of which I counted sixty large vessels in these harbours
—Taking boat again at Newport, we were in less than an hour
landed on the other side, within two short miles of our head-
quarters, where we found our women in good health and spirits—
They had been two days before joined by Mr. Smollett and his
lady, to whom we have such obligations as I cannot mention, even
to you, without blushing.
To-morrow we shall bid adieu to the Scotch Arcadia, and begin
our progress to the southward, taking our way by Lanerk and
Nithsdale, to the west borders of England. I have received so
much advantage and satisfaction from this tour, that if my health
suffers no revolution in the winter, I believe I shall be tempted to
undertake another expedition to the Northern extremity of Caith-
ness, unencumbered by those impediments which now clog the
heels of,
yours,
Cameron, Sept. 6. MATT. BRAMBLE
To Miss LÆTITIA WILLIS, at Gloucester
MY DEAREST LETTY,
NEVER did poor prisoner long for deliverance, more than I have
longed for an opportunity to disburthen my cares into your
friendly bosom; and the occasion which now presents itself, is little