Of
The Dimensions Of The Larger Islands, There Is No Knowledge
Approaching To Exactness.
I am willing to estimate it as
containing about three hundred square miles.
Mull had suffered like Sky by the black winter of seventy-one, in
which, contrary to all experience, a continued frost detained the
snow eight weeks upon the ground. Against a calamity never known,
no provision had been made, and the people could only pine in
helpless misery. One tenant was mentioned, whose cattle perished
to the value of three hundred pounds; a loss which probably more
than the life of man is necessary to repair. In countries like
these, the descriptions of famine become intelligible. Where by
vigorous and artful cultivation of a soil naturally fertile, there
is commonly a superfluous growth both of grain and grass; where the
fields are crowded with cattle; and where every hand is able to
attract wealth from a distance, by making something that promotes
ease, or gratifies vanity, a dear year produces only a comparative
want, which is rather seen than felt, and which terminates commonly
in no worse effect, than that of condemning the lower orders of the
community to sacrifice a little luxury to convenience, or at most a
little convenience to necessity.
But where the climate is unkind, and the ground penurious, so that
the most fruitful years will produce only enough to maintain
themselves; where life unimproved, and unadorned, fades into
something little more than naked existence, and every one is busy
for himself, without any arts by which the pleasure of others may
be increased; if to the daily burden of distress any additional
weight be added, nothing remains but to despair and die.
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