the remains of one of which we are now describing. A second was built at Inver, and the third at Store. 5. On the Stronchrubie farm, and near the high road, there may be seen an extraordinary mass of stone and lime, having the appearance of having been in former times a part of some very large and thick building, such as an old castle. The lime seems as if infused into the mass. As there is not the least vestige of any such building in the neighbourhood, it is difficult to account for it, unless we suppose it to have assumed its present form in consequence of some volcanic eruption. There are no modern buildings of any note in the parish, though there are several tolerably good dwelling-houses. III-POPULATION. By census 1831, the population was 3161-1503 males, and 1658 females. So that, upon the whole, the population has been on the increase. Of the present population about 1400 are attached to the church and parish of Store. Yearly average of births for the last seven years, marriages, Number of families, Average number of individuals in each family, All other families, trade, 88 14 375 5 461 between 20 and 30 There are no nobility or people of independent fortune resident in the parish. Language. The Gaelic language is still universal in Assynt, and the only medium of religious instruction. The English language, however, is making slow but sure progress. The youth of the parish are ambitious of acquiring it, being sensible that the want of it proves a great bar to their advancement in life. It is likely, nevertheless, that Assynt is one of the very last districts in which the Gaelic language shall cease to be the language of the people. It is remarkable that the Gaelic School Society will probably prove the means, at a remote period, of the expulsion of the Gaelic language from the Highlands. The teachers employed by that useful society, to whom we owe much, taught the young to read the Scriptures in their native tongue. This implanted a desire to acquire knowledge on other subjects, which induced them to have recourse to the English language as the medium of communication. Character of the People.-The character of the people may be said to be good. They are kind, civil, and extremely hospitable; patient of labour, and capable of enduring much bodily fatigue. In general they prefer making immense exertions at times, to more moderate but constant labour. They live sparingly. Their chief articles of food are herrings and potatoes. Some attention has, of late, been paid to cleanliness and neatness about their dwellings, but very much remains to be done. Upon the whole, they may be said to be contented with their situations. They are naturally shrewd and intelligent, and regular in their attendance on public worship. Poaching and smuggling, particularly the latter, were carried on to an alarming extent, and proved extremely prejudicial to the morals of the people. Now, the narrator is happy to be able to say, that, through the judicious and determined exertions of the Noble proprietor, aided by the gentlemen who have the management, such irregularities are almost unknown amongst us. IV. INDUSTRY. From situation and climate, the greater part of Assynt, particularly the interior, is peculiarly adapted for pasturage. Accordingly a large portion of it is laid out in sheep-walks, viz. Ledbeg, Filin, &c. at a rent of L. 540; Achumore, L. 338; Ardvar, L. 220; Stronchrubie, L. 205; and Ledmore, L. 80. It will thus be seen that sheep-farming is carried on to a considerable extent. It is also prosecuted systematically. stances. The great bulk, however, of the population dwell along the shores, where they have the benefit of fishing. They occupy lots of land at rents ranging from L. 2 to L. 5. The land is not high rented, but the occupants, in general, are in straitened circumThis arises from the over-crowded state of the population. On the lot of land which, according to the rental book, is assigned to only one family, two are frequently found residing. This is the true cause of our poverty, and, unless emigration on a large scale takes place, matters must soon come to a painful crisis. At the same time, from want of climate, a great part of Assynt is unfit for cultivation. Rents. Of old, the valued rent of the parish was L. 1000 Scots. In the year 1794, it was L. 1000 Sterling. In the year 1812, when there was a general setting of the farms through the parish, it was about L. 5000; now it is reduced to something less than L. 3000. Quarries. From Ledbeg to Achumore the soil is limestone. About thirty years ago, an attempt was made to quarry marble both at Ledbeg, and in the immediate vicinity of the church. The marble was found susceptible of a very fine polish, and an enterprising individual, a native of Newcastle, commenced quarrying. Roads were formed, or rather tracts for the heavy waggons, from Ledbeg to Unapool, a distance of sixteen miles. This was an undertaking of considerable difficulty, and after a large quantity was shipped, it was found attended with such expense, that it was impossible to compete with quarries, in more eligible situations, and the project was dropped. Salmon Fisheries.-There are no fisheries in the parish deserving the name, except that on the water of Kirkag, and that which leads from Loch Assynt to Lochinver. These are let at a mode rate rent. Navigation. There are very few vessels belonging to Assynt. Mr Macdonald, Lochinver, has one or two. Several vessels, however, are yearly employed on our coasts in the herring trade, and a few in exporting the produce of the parish, which consists chiefly of wool. There are no associations in the parish for the encouragement or improvement of industry; but the Noble proprietors supply this deficiency in a great measure, by rewarding the industrious, and thus inciting to additional exertions. V.-PAROCHIAL ECONOMY. Markets. There is no market-town within the parish; neither have any markets been established. It is intended to establish a cattle market at Inshnadamph. This would prove very advantageous to the people, and save them the expense and trouble of driving their cattle to a greater distance. The Kyle tryst, held in the vicinity of Bonar Bridge, forty miles beyond Inshnadamph, is the nearest cattle-market at present.* In Lochinver is the only place deserving the name of a village. it are some good houses, shops, and several tradesmen. In the immediate vicinity is a manufactory, for the preserving of butchermeat, fish, and vegetables, which affords our sailors, and others, the luxury of fresh meat, whilst they are hundreds of leagues out at sea. It is carried on under the auspices of Mr Macdonald, an extensive and enterprising sheep-farmer. Regular employment is thus given to a number of tradesmen and labourers. Means of Communication, &c.-In this village, also, is a post Since writing the above a cattle-market has been established, and is likely to prove a permanent benefit. office. There is another in the immediate neighbourhood of the church. The mails arrive regularly twice a-week. This is one of the greatest improvements imaginable. A letter or newspaper from London we have the fifth day. In connection with the postoffice, I am naturally led to notice our excellent roads. Nothing has so much contributed to the external improvement of the country as these, by which this interesting district, till lately inaccessible, and comparatively unknown, has been opened up to the public; and thus, advantages secured to the inhabitants, which our ancestors would have deemed impossible. This improvement is attributable, in a great measure, to the Noble proprietors, and, were there no other benefit conferred on it, Assynt, on this account, owes a lasting debt of gratitude to the late excellent Duke of Sutherland. The length of road constructed from Aultnacaelgach to Store, including branches to Unapool and Inverkirkig, exceeds forty miles. To this may be added several miles of bye roads for the exclusive benefit of the tenantry. There is a small convenient harbour at Lochinver, where a pier has been erected. There are some other harbours, or rather creeks, at Nedd, Oldney, and Ardvar, all lying on the north side of the point of Store, which afford shelter and anchorage. Savings Bank.-There was a savings' bank established about four years ago, and it is now in full operation. It has already proved very beneficial. It is under the patronage of the Sutherland family, who encourage industry by giving a higher rate of interest than the banks do, for all sums not exceeding L. 20 Sterling. Ecclesiastical State. The parish church is situated within nine miles of the southern boundary of the parish—a situation extremely inconvenient for the people. The great bulk of the population dwell at distances from the church, varying from twelve to eighteen miles. The intervening population is very small. The church was built upwards of sixty years ago, but was re-slated and seated about twenty-five years ago. It is seated for 260 or 280 sitters. It is small, but comfortable. There are two other regular preaching stations, where the minister has to officiate, viz. Lochinver, distant fourteen miles, to which there is a good road leading; and Kyleside, nearly the same distance, but without any road at all. In the former district there is preaching once in the three weeks generally, or once a month at farthest; in the other, once in the six or seven weeks. At Lochinver there is a pretty good house built by subscription, to which the late Duke, and the Duchess-Coun tess of Sutherland largely contributed. It is only partially seated as yet. It is also used as a General Assembly school-house during the week. In the Kyle side public worship has to be performed in the open air, however inclement the weather. Strong applications for additional accommodation in both districts have been made to the Religious Instruction Commissioners, but hitherto without success. There is a Government or Parliamentary church at Store, built in 1829. To this is attached a population of 1403, leaving upwards of 1700 scattered over a vast extent of inaccessible surface, as has already been described. In order to carry on pastoral superintendence properly, a minister is required at Lochinver, and another at Kyleside. There are no missionaries in the parish. Public worship is well attended by the people. The average number of communicants is 80,—a number certainly small when compared with the population. The communion is regularly administered once a-year. The stipend amounts to L. 158, 6s. 8d., including the allowance for communion elements. The glebe is pretty extensive. It is chiefly adapted for grazing, and, at the rate at which lands in the neighbourhood are let, might fetch a rent of L. 20 or L. 25 Sterling per annum. The manse was built about fifteen years ago, but, from frequent storms, and its exposed situation, it very often requires repairs. The minister of the Parliamentary church at Store has an annual stipend of L. 120, paid by the Exchequer, and a glebe worth L.7 a-year. There are no dissenting places of worship, and not above half a dozen Dissenters in the whole parish. There is a catechist who receives L.8 annually from the society in Scotland for Propagating Christian Knowledge, and, with the exception of this pittance, he is remunerated solely by the people. There is no such thing as letting of church seats known amongst us. The average annual amount of church collections is L. 7, 18s. Education. The schools in the parish are 7 in number, viz. the parochial school, three from the Society for Propagating Christian Knowledge, one from the Edinburgh Gaelic School Society, one from the Glasgow Gaelic School Society, and one from the General Assembly's Education Committee. Besides these, in various remote districts the people club together to provide a teacher for their children, during the winter and spring months. None of these schools are endowed except the parochial one. In it the teacher's |