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CHARITY SCHOOLS.

this society are in a flourishing condition, though still unequal to the objects of its application, which are continually increasing: the promoters of it have however the happiness of reflecting that they afford every year the elementary branches of education to nearly 16,000 children. The schools of the society are annually visited by two ministers of every presbytery within whose bounds they are stationed; and at these visitations a report is written and transmitted to the society of the number of the scholars, the branches they are taught, and of their proficiency; also of the character and conduct of the teacher, and of the nature of the accomodations furnished to him, in compliance with the rules of the society; and until such report is received at the office of the society, the salary of the teacher is not paid. This society has caused to be translated the Scriptures both of the Old and New Testament, as well as a variety of pious and useful treatises, into the Gaelic language, and by means of their schoolmasters have circulated them through the Highlands and islands.

The Highlanders, it is well known, are very proud of literary distinction; and their ambition to teach others, after they have been taught themselves, is very great. Hence the society have upon their lists more candidates than they can appoint. The expenses of this noble institution are conducted with the greatest economy and integrity.

PRIVATE SCHOOLS.

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The following abstracts of the society's establishment for the last two years will exhibit its improving condition :--

Besides these established schools, the lower classes of people in Scotland, where the parishes are large, often combine together, and form private schools of their own. So convinced are the poor people of Scotland of the advantages of education, that they will submit to almost any privation to procure it for their children, in doing which they have to encounter the expense of clothing and feeding them. At the charity-schools no fees are paid. The benefits

derived from these schools to the rural Muse of Scotland are too well known to be enumerated. In opposition to Dr. Johnson's remark, that the schools are deserted in the winter, on account of the scarcity of food, it is a wellknown fact that the schools are much more frequented in that season than in summer, when the children of those who are fit for, and are required in, domestic services are most wanted. The winter, moreover, is not penurious of food in the Hebrides, as the natives are too careful not to provide for that gloomy season of the year.

any

I shall close my account of these great intellectual sources with the following singular remark made upon them by a Scotchman :---A lady of rank, who had a Highlander in her service, whom she employed as her hair-dresser, one morning, as he was adjusting her head, asked him how many traditionary poems concerning Fingal still remained amongst his countrymen; to which he replied, " When stranger entered a Highland cottage, the first question always was from the family to the guest," Know you any thing of Fingal, or Ossian, or Oscar?" If he did, he was called upon to recite what he knew; if he did not, they recited it to him; and upon the lady asking how they could treasure up in their memories so many poems, he said, "Oh, madam! before we had so many schools, we had long memories."

NEW HIGHLAND PAPER.

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As another mode of diffusing knowledge in the Highlands, I must not omit to mention, that, a short time before I arrived at Inverness, a weekly newspaper had been established, with every prospect of success, by a very respectable bookseller, Mr. John Young, which, considering the improvements that have been made in the Highlands in agriculture, in external and internal commerce, and the general condition of the people, is likely to be of considerable public advantage, as well as a source of private amusement, by opening new communications of intelligence. It is rather singular that this should have been the first public print in these parts.

CHAP. XX.

INVERNESS CONTINUED-HERRING-FISHERY-THE CALEDONIAN CANAL-HIGHLAND WORKMEN-NATIONAL BENEFITS OF THE CANAL REMARKS ON INTERNAL IMPROVEMENT-PAROCHIAL SCHOOLS

VITRIFIED FORTS

THE GAELIC LANGUAGE

ANECDOTES OF ITS EFFECTS IN ASIATIC TURKEY.

To return to Inverness. The population of the town consists of about six thousand persons. The infirmary, built by sub scription, near the town, is a very handsome building, most delightfully situated, and does infinite honour as well to the humanity as the taste of those under whose auspices it has been erected. There are also several other very commendable charitable institutions. Several thriving manufactures, such as woollen, hemp, thread, &c. are carried on, though many of them are young; there is also a foundry. Ships of four hundred tons can ride within a mile of the town; and, at spring tides, vessels of half that burden can come up to the quay, close to the town.

Most of the vessels belonging to Inverness convey to London the produce of the manufactures, the fish caught in the river Ness (which is very considerable), the skins of