PREFACE.

WHEN the amiable Archbishop of Cambray favoured the world with his elegant poem, TELEMACHUS; and when Goldsmith's masterly and correct pen produced his TRAVELLER and DESERTED VILLAGE, each of these illustrious writers had in view great political objects; namely, the convenience and comfort of the individual in society, as well as the happiness and prosperity of the community at large.

The verses contained in the following pages, are professedly of a political cast; but, disclaiming all connection with the politics of the day, they aim at something very different ;—and that is, to call the attention of good men, wherever dispersed throughout our island, to the manifold and great evils arising from the introduction of that system which has within these last forty years spread among the Grampians and Western Isles, and is the leading cause of a Depopulation that threatens to extirpate the ancient race of inhabitants of those districts. The system alluded to is that of SHEEP-STORES, a species of monopoly beneficial a few, but prejudicial to the State, in as much as it directly leads to Emigration, and consequently to a train of

national calamities, the bare idea of which awakens apprehension of danger. Of the just grounds for real dread, the Act of Parliament, for giving a check to migrations from the Highlands of Scotland and other parts of the British Empire, is a striking proof. The neglect of our Fisheries, as well as the total disregard of other departments of productive labour, or useful industry, are interesting topics that are kept steadily in view throughout the present production. And, in order to rouse the humane and benevolent to a fellow-feeling with the sufferings and hardships of the oppressed or ejected GAEL, episodes are occasionally introduced, illustrative of their deplorable condition: and likewise, in the event of a redress of grievances, consequently of a more favourable and permanent establishment, under wise and specific regulations, suitable to an improved system of Store-Farms, Manufactures, Fisheries, &c.-various prospects, or poetic exhibitions, are laid open to the imagination, so as to interest the active feelings of the soul; and, at the same time, the intellectual faculties are called on to devise the best possible means for the maintenance of private happiness, conjoined with public welfare, national independence, wealth, and true glory, as founded on the immutable laws of moral rectitude, and sound policy.

“To charm, to move, to elevate the soul," says the eloquent historian of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Em

pire," are the great objects of poetry *" "The great end "and objectof poetry," says another elegant writer, and "consequently the proper aim of the poet, is, to communi"cate to us a clear and perfect idea of the proposed sub"ject †." "But to be understood," says an eminent philosopher, “ is not the sole object of the poet : his primary "object is to please; and the pleasure which he convegs "will, in general, be found to be proportionate to the "beauty and liveliness of the images which he suggests ‡.”?

But, whether the author of the present performance has availed himself of a knowledge of his subject, and applied with energy, judgment, and taste, the rules of the art of poetry,-an acquaintance with which the advanced state of elegant literature may have furnished—is a question by no means for him to determine; and therefore he must leave it to the candid decision of competent judges ;-satisfied, in his own mind, that, in the arrangement of the various subject-matter that enters into the great outline of the plan, he has attempted to model it after truth, simplicity, and nature, so as to present to the reader a regulated whole, the ground-work of which must be interesting to every Friend of his Country.

* GIBBON'S Essay on the Study of Literature, Sect. xxxvii.

+ Roscoe's Life of Lorenzo de Medici, Vol. I. p. 255. 4to. printed in the year 1796.

STEWART'S Elements of the Philosophy of the Human Mind, p. 495, 4to, printed in the year 1792.

ADVERTISEMENT.

THE Profits arising from the sale of this edition of the present poem, are intended to lay the foundation of a Fund for the aid of industrious Peasants, and Tradesmen, who shall hereafter incline to become settlers, or Cultiva-. tors of WASTE LAND in any part of Great Britain. For which purpose the smallest sum above the price of the book, will be thankfully received:-and may be deposited in the hands of VERNOR & HOOD in the Poultry, London; and MANNERS & MILLER, Parliament Close, Edinburgh, the Publishers;-in whose possession, Books of Subscription will be found, for inserting the names of donors or benefactors of this intended foundation,-to be called, "THE FUND OF AID FOR WASTE LAND "CULTIVATORS."