inhabitants, is called Strathfloid; and the small river passing through it is called in that language Flodag the diminutive of Flod, a word signifying inundation, to which this stream is subject. This strath is ten miles in length, and of irregular width. In some parts it is three-fourths of a mile wide; in other parts it is contracted to within a few yards of the stream passing through it. Both sides of it rise to an elevation of from 500 to 700 feet above the course of the Fleet,-in some parts abruptly, but generally in sloping banks, which are occasionally cultivated and produce crops.

The part of Strathbrora which is in this parish bears a resemblance to Strathfleet, the difference being such as may be accounted for by the action of a larger body of water, which has in some places cut deeper into the rock, forming chasms. In other parts, the water meets with less resistance, the valley is widened, and lengthened haughs are formed. Being nearer the mountainous region, the aspect of this strath is of a more rugged character than that of Strathfleet.

The hills between these straths are nearly of equal height, and rise to an elevation of from 800 to 900 feet above the level of the sea. The meadows, which are found around some of the lakes and in those flat parts which are subject to irrigation from burns passing through, are not of great extent, and form but a small proportion to the extent of the moors.

Climate. The climate of the county of Sutherland, from its latitude and exposure to the winds of the German and Northern Ocean, is sharp and cold. The greater part of Rogart, owing to its elevation, and to its having but little shelter from the east wind, and being swept by every blast coming from the high mountains of Assynt and Strathnaver, is much exposed to the severity of a cold atmosphere. Yet snow does not lie long here, and frost is not very intense. Winter, however, leaves us but reluctantly, continuing during the greater part of spring; and it often arrives in the last month of harvest. At the times alluded to, we have our most disagreeable weather, cold easterly winds, bringing sleet or rain. The most frequent winds, however, are the north and east, but the south-west blows with greatest violence.

Summer here has a great proportion of dry weather; as the rains which fall among the high mountains in this season do not extend to this place. A dry scorching summer is more frequently a subject of complaint with us than one too rainy. Nor can it be

said that we have more rain in winter than there is in other parts of this island.

Notwithstanding the coldness of our climate, however, it is remarkably healthy. With the exception of catarrhs in the months of March and October, diseases but rarely visit the inhabitants.

Hydrography. The lakes in this parish are very numerous, but not remarkable for extent. Of Loch Craggie, in its western extremity, anglers speak with rapture for the size and quality of its trout, and for the excellent sport it affords. In the north-eastern extremity of the parish, there are two lakes in which fine trout are found. Their name implies that they were once on this account held in estimation; both being called Loch-beannached, Lake of Blessing.

The only rivers are those already mentioned, the Fleet and the Brora. Even the larger of these is insignificant in summer and harvest; but both when in flood, discharge a great body of water, and often cover almost the whole of the plains in their courses, so as to present the appearance of a succession of lakes. The Fleet has its origin in a rising ground, forming the boundary between the parishes of Rogart and Lairg. After traversing ten miles, from west to east, in many windings, fringed with birch and alder bushes, it enters an extensive plain, once covered by every tide from the Moray Frith, but now encroached upon only by this stream: the waters of the sea being completely shut out by the earthen mound, at the head of the Little Ferry. In this place, where it is not confined by the skill and enterprise of the agriculturist, it appears almost completely lost among rapidly growing alders, until it collects itself into a pool, or forms a considerable lake, before being discharged into the sea by the sluices of the mound. The Brora is about twice the size of the Fleet, has its origin in the high mountain Beinclibric, and passes from west to east, traversing ten miles of this parish in its course. It then enters the parish of Clyne, where it unites with another river called the Blackwater, and passing through that parish, it joins the Moray Frith at a village to which it has given its name, and affords a harbour for light shipping.

Geology and Mineralogy.—Rogart lies chiefly on gneiss rock, in which the only veins seen are of quartz. It is of a large-grained kind, with a great proportion of mica. It is used in building the houses and cottages of the inhabitants, and is found an excellent material for the purpose, being easily wrought.

Over the whole of the parish, rolled blocks of granite are seen in great numbers on the surface; in some parts, if viewed from a dis tance, the surface appears covered with them. They are found no less numerous under ground in hollows, where there has been an accumulation of soil to cover them.

Of the whole surface of Rogart, moss forms the largest proportion. In some parts it is very deep, found often to a depth of twelve feet. In those parts where its depth is less, its fresh appearance indicates rapid growth. The soil in the valleys, and covering the sides of the hills, is sandy and gravelly. The land abounds in springs; consequently, to be brought into a state of culture, it requires to be intersected with frequent drains.

Plants. The moors produce heather, deers'-hair and cottongrass, intermixed in proportions said to be highly favourable for the feeding of sheep. The hills are covered with heather on the tops, but on their sides a mixture of fine grasses is to be found; and, around their bases, red and white clover, and mountain daisy, The meadows and straths are covered with the meadow grasses prevalent in similar situations, and, where irrigated, are very productive.

are common.

Zoology.-Roe-deer may always be seen here, but not in great numbers. The red mountain-deer is occasionally seen crossing the moors to or from the mountains north of this, which abound in that species of animal. The gray mountain-hare is here common on the higher grounds. The brown hare, and of late the rabbit, are found on the lower grounds, the former exceedingly numerous. Moorfowl are still abundant, though less so, it is said, than they have been. Black game, which are said to increase as moor-fowl decrease, are become very numerous.

Goats were once a part of the stock of the inhabitants, but they have now nearly disappeared, giving way to more profitable animals. There is a species of sheep, of small size, formerly the only kind known here, still reared by the occupants of small lots of land, and much commended for fineness of fleece and excellence of mutton; but they are likely soon to disappear also,—those who have them appreciating the better size of the Cheviot sheep. A great variety of trout is found in the lakes. and sea trout, are taken in the Brora and Fleet.

Salmon, grilse,

The trout make

for the burns falling into, or issuing from, the lakes, in the month of October, to deposit their spawn; and their spawning season lasts

generally till the beginning of November, and seldom or never extends beyond the middle of that month. Salmon begin to spawn fourteen days later, and before the middle of December; that process being finished, they return to the sea. Salmon enter the Fleet in the end of May. They are found, and were taken, till a recent act of Parliament prohibited, at the mouth of the Brora, as early as the end of January; but they are not seen in the upper part of that river,-the part belonging to this parish,―till the commencement of summer.

II. CIVIL HISTORY.

Land-owners.-The Duke and Duchess of Sutherland are proprietors of nearly the whole parish of Rogart. The other proprietors of land in it are, George Dempster, Esq. of Skibo, and Hugh Rose Ross, Esq. of Glastullich and Cromarty, who have each a small patch in it unconnected with their principal estates.

Antiquities. At a place called Corrie, where there are indications of the existence in former times of oak trees, imperfect remains of a Druidical circle are to be seen. The inhabitants, quite unconscious of the sacrilege, finding the stones composing it suitable, carried them away for the purposes of building, so that but few of them are now to be seen.

Tradition accords with the rude but certain monuments of battles, in showing that Rogart was in past times the scene of violent contests, and of much bloodshed. A ridge of hills crossing the eastern extremity of the parish from north to south, and extending from Strathbrora to Strathfleet, is covered with tumuli, which appear to have been thrown over the slain where they fell. One of these was opened lately by dikers erecting a fence around the glebe, having no idea that they invaded the resting place of a warrior, probably of an ancestor. They found in the centre of it a stone coffin, containing mouldered bones, and the blade of a dirk, or short dagger, which seemed to have been wielded by the hand of some leader, being of a more costly description than the common dirk, coated with gold, and marked with lines, crossing one another at acute angles, and terminating in the point. It is likely that this bloody instrument was broken, and covered, in the wound it inflicted, and was thus retained in the body of its victim.

The Earl of Montrose on his return from Orkney passed unmolested through Strathfleet, where he and his followers halted for a night at a place called Rhin. The stillness and beauty of

that spot forms a striking contrast with the struggle and disaster to which the next day's march conducted him. From Rhin he marched to Strathoicail, on the heights of which this bravest of unfortunate men fought his last battle.

III-POPULATION.

A continued decrease is found in the population of the parish of Rogart since the year 1811,-as may be seen by comparing the census of that year with the census of 1831, and with these statistics. This decrease has been caused by emigration to the provinces subject to Britain in North America,-chiefly to Upper Canada.

For the last seven years the average number of births is

The number of persons under 15 years of age, is

40

deaths,
marriages,

29

10

695

betwixt 15 and 30,

50 and 70,

upwards of 70,

413

236

families is

The number of unmarried men, bachelors, and widowers, upwards of 50 years of age, is

The number of unmarried women upwards of 45 years of age, is

64

25

46

386

Language.--The Celtic, or Gaelic, language is spoken by almost all the inhabitants. There are a few shepherds who do not speak this language; but their families do. A considerable proportion of the inhabitants, however, can converse in the English language; and, in a few years it is likely that none may be found who cannot do so. Their English, being acquired from books, and occasional conversation with educated persons, is marked by no peculiarity, except a degree of mountain accent and Celtic idiom; so that it is more easily intelligible to an Englishman than the dialect spoken by the Lowland Scotch.

Character of the People.-A desire for information prevails among them, as, indeed, among all the inhabitants of the High