|
 DOCTOR
JOHNSON undertook a journey to the Highlands
of Scotland and the Hebride Isles, in 1773, curious to see a people whose
military habits, simple and vigorous rules of government, and primitive
manners, had, after their last daring attempt, in 1745, to restore the
exiled line of Scottish kings, brought them so prominently under public
notice.
Remarking that mountainous
countries contain the original and oldest race of men,
who from the nature of their
territories, and their warlike habits, are not easily conquered, he
observes, that "to the southern inhabitants of Scotland the state of the
mountains and the islands is equally unknown with that of Borneo or
Sumatra; of both they have only heard a little, and guess the rest. They
are strangers to the language and the manners, to the advantages and the
wants of the people, whose life they would model, and whose evils they
would remedy." "Never perhaps," he elsewhere adds, "was any change of
national manners so quick, so great, and so general, as that which has
operated in the Highlands by the last conquest and the subsequent laws."
True as this may be, much still remains of that system of antiquated life,
characteristic of those who have not advanced beyond the primitive state
in which mankind in alpine situations is long retained, by the difficulty
of access to their secluded homes. Toilsome as travelling in the rugged
and sequestered regions of Caledonia was at that time, especially to such
a man as Johnson, he stoutly encountered the obstacles of the way: now,
the Highlands can be traversed in most parts by the best of roads, and its
coasts explored by means of numerous steamboats.
Considerable attention was
drawn to this part of the kingdom by the amusing journey of the Doctor,
and the works of subsequent writers; but the volumes of Sir Walter Scott
have done more to attract tourists to the scenes he has depicted than was
perhaps ever accomplished by any writer. Not only have natives crowded to
these romantic scenes and hospitable tribes, but foreigners of highest
distinction have been attracted to this portion of the northern world. Her
Gracious Majesty and Illustrious
Consort unbend the bow of Royal etiquette amid the quietness of a mountain
retreat, breaking the monotony of seclusion by the healthful and
exhilarating pursuits peculiar to a Highland life, deriving entertainment
from the athletic and convivial performances of their loyal
Gaelic subjects. The stream of visitors flows
annually to the north, and the Highlands are better known in part to many
than their native countries; but this knowledge does not often extend
beyond the mere exterior aspects of the land and its inhabitants. Guide
books, pictorial illustrations, and historical productions, have appeared
in imposing abundance for the gratification of the inquirer; but the
social state of the Celtic population of Britain is still comparatively
but little known. In order to become acquainted with the peculiarity of
their manners and customs, a lengthened and familiar intercourse with the
people is requisite. The rapidity of steam conveyance permits but a slight
knowledge of a country or its inhabitants; and even by the sportsman, who
sojourns among the mountains during the shooting season, much is to be
learned that does not meet his transient view.
Most of the European
nations are now so highly civilized and refined, that it is quite
refreshing to meet with those who are yet simple and unsophisticated. The
Gael have preserved a peculiar language, a singular garb, and a mode of
life alike to the nomadic, pastoral state of the most ancient people; and
rapid as the march of innovation has been, they still retain much of their
primitive features. If they cannot boast a literary history, they retain
an oral record which in antiquity sets other nations distant far. When Mr.
Stone and Mr. Hill, neither of them
natives, gave to the world several translated
portions of that beautiful poetry which MacPherson some years after more
industriously collected, arranged, and published, it was not dreamt that
the Highlanders were in possession of national poetry the most ancient in
Europe, and could glory in the immortal Ossian as their countryman. Is it
less matter of pride for them, that when the Christian world had almost
been overwhelmed, in the sacred fane of St. Columba the religion of the
cross was preserved in purity to re— enlighten the nations of the west?
It is deemed the more useful thus to
place on record the games, the sports, the pastimes, the social and
domestic employments of the Gaelic tribes, inasmuch as in the progress of
improvement and change they may at last be swept away. It will be long,
however, ere the manners of this people are assimilated
to those of the Saxon race, if they ever can
be entirely so, but assuredly the changes produced on others must
gradually affect them; and laudably as individuals and associations strive
to keep in vigour the ancient spirit of the people by the encouragement of
their national language, poetry, music, dress, and amusements, they have
gradually declined since the breaking up of the bond of clanship,—the
patriarchal rule, that natural safeguard of the pristine manners which so
remarkably distinguished the Gaelic population. The legal abolition of
this antique system produced, in the course of thirty years, "a rapid,
incredible, and total change," in the state of Highland society, rendering
all record of their peculiar and decaying manners, an acceptable
acquisition to the present and succeeding generations.
In the former publication,
entitled "The Clans," this once formidable branch of the
Celtic race, was exhibited in its
genealogies, military character, social state and importance; the
peculiarities of the costume and arms were illustrated with graphic skill;
and striking views were presented of their former strength, alliance, and
influence.
The GAELIC
GATHERINGS display in the following pages the people engaged in
their domestic employments,—in their pastoral, agricultural, piscatorial,
and hunting occupations; and in their sports and recreations— they
indicate otherwise the nature of the country and character of the people.
"The Clans" and "The Gatherings"
comprise such a series of historical illustrations of the Highlanders as
few other nations can show of themselves or approach in interest, and the
pictorial accuracy and effect of the prints, with the research and lucid
detail of the letterpress, recommend these works to the use of tourists,
native or foreign, render them elegant and desirable productions for the
table of the drawing room, and highly valuable as books of authentic
reference to the historian and general inquirer. |
