inulated hardships), to leave their native country, in order to become proprietors in a corner of the United States, where taxes are next to nothing; and where tithes were never heard of; and, above all, where civil and religions liberty are unbounded; and where every man may sit under his own fig-tree, and do "whatsoever "seemeth good in his own eyes :"-but let it also be remembered, that America, with all those allurements, is not the place for an emigrant to live in without money! -certainly not: and this cannot be better illustrated than by the following extract from a small pamphlet, which now lies before me, printed at Glasgow about thirty years since, entitled, " Information to Emigrants; being a copy of a letter from a Gentleman in North "America; containing a full account of the terms on "which settlers may procure lands," &c. &c. After enumerating the terms distinctly, which, by the way, are extremely tempting, the author of this tract adds: "It " is conceived that these terms will suit many farmers in "England, Scotland, and Ireland, who live at rack-rent, "and have some small property to lay out for better esta"blishments than they now have in Europe. The Eu ropean emigrants in America have heretofore general❝ly been very poor persons, who being utterly destitute, <6 were exposed to insuperable difficulties; for though "this is allowed to be the best poor man's country in the “world, it has very little the advantage of others to such "as are so necessitous as to depend upon mere charity. "It is to farmers of estates from 100l. to 300l. that this " is a situation superior to other countries: these are able to purchase much for a little, but none can expect to "have the lands given to them for nothing." 13 All interests are subservient to the state.-P. 14. 14 The ties of mutual interest all must bind.-Ib. 15 To all belong the produce of our land.—Ib. In a word, these political sentiments appear to me to be self-evident propositions, or axioms which form the basis of sound policy and good government. Wherefore, individual interest ought not to injure the public weal: nor must the welfare of the community at large militate against the rights of any one of its members, so long as that individual supports to the best of his ability that state to which he belongs, in the due administration of justice. Hence, whosoever is guilty of private oppression, is amenable to that whole or state which protects him in the comfortable enjoyment of his property: and as the whole is equal to all its parts taken collectively; which is not only true in the abstract, but likewise holds good in every well-regulated society, more especially where civilization verges toward refinement; and where agriculture, trade, and commerce, art, and science, mutually depend on each other for their existence, energy, and flourishing condition: hence, therefore, when expediency requires the interference of the Legislature in matters of private grievance, it is justifiable on the sound M est principles of justice, to rectify whatever may wear an aspect inimical to the interests of the state. 16 Should plunge them into disesteem.-P. 15. The poor industrious deem nothing more formidable than that contempt which poverty hurries a person into, who once was esteemed for honesty, and punctual attention in all his dealings. And if this principle be not refined or exalted; yet it is one of a very powerful nature, and spurs on to exertion, when others of the active feelings of the human mind are languid, or difficult to be roused into action. But when a virtuous individual finds his utmost diligence and prudence prove fruitless or unsuccessful; what then is left, save hope, to render existence even supportable? Emigration presents * 17 To let his land at rack-rent's utmost stretch.-P. 15. THE barefaced encouragement given to secret offers for leases, (witness the advertisements for letting farms, that daily appear in the newspapers), is beyond all the calculations of our forefathers in the progress of corruption; to say nothing of the evils of rack-rent, which of itself is a refinement in political economy, or rather a canker-worm that has wrought into the very vitals of agriculture, the living energy of all industry; of consequence, the real wealth, and welfare of the nation. 18 When stores in common shall your wants supply.-P. 15. See note 5. book sixth. 19 A kindred people, Celta, Clio stiles.-P. 16. THAT the Welsh, the inhabitants of the Isle of Man, of Ireland, the Hebrides, and Grampian mountains, are descendants of the ancient Celta, who had emigrated from time to time from the continent of Europe, is agreed by all our best historians and antiquaries. Eve's dew-drops bow its head, &c.—P. 19. THE Gaelic reader is here presented with the original, of which I have attempted a translation in English heroic verse. It is one of the few fragments of Ossian that bears every internal evidence of an original, which it is in vain to expect a modern composition in the Gaelic language to equal; and I will frankly own, that I had many scruples to conquer before I finally resolved to let the paraphrase remain which appears in the present poem. AISLING MALA-MHINE. "'SE guth anma mo ruin ať ann! "O's animic gu aisling Mal-mhine thu. Fosglaibh Talla na ʼn speur, "Athraichidh Thoscair na'n cruaidh bheum; "Fosglaibh dorsaidh, na'n nial, "Cuim thainig an osag am' dhiadh, "O dhubh-shuibhal na linn ud thall? "Bha do sciath fhuaimneach an gallan an aonuich, "Shiubhail aisling Mal-mhine gu dian: "Ach chunairc i a Run ag aomadh, "'Sa cheo-earradh ag taomadh mu chliabh : "Bha dearsa na Greine air thaobh ris, "Co boisceil re or na'n daoi. "Is e guth anma mo Ruiñ ať ann ! "O's ainmic gu m' aisling fein thu. " Is comhnuidh dhuit anam Mal-mhine, "A mhic Oisein a's treine lamh, 66 Eirigh m' osna mar re dearsa o'n Ear, "Thaom mo dheoir am measg sileadh na h oiche. "Bhu ghallan aluinn a d'fhianais mi Oscair, "Le m' uile gheugaibh uaine am' thimchioll; "Ach thainig do bhas-sa mar osaig "O'n fhasach, is dh'aom mi sios : Thainig Earrach le sileadh nan speur, "Ach ni'n d' eirich duill' uaine dhamh fein. "Chunaire oighe mi gu samhach san talla, "Is bhuail iad clairseach na'm fonn : "Bha deoir ag taomadh le gruaidhin Mal-mhine, "Chunairc oigh mi 's mo thura gu trom. "Cuim am bheil thu co tuirseach am fhianais; “A chaomh ainnir aig Luatha' naʼn fruth? |