State of Highlands subsequent to 1745--Progress of Innovation--First mention of Emigration--Pennant’s account of the country--Dr Johnson--Emigration fairly commenced in 1760--The Tacksmen the first to suffer and emigrate--Consequences to those who remained--Wretched condition of the Western Islands--Introduction of large sheep-farms--Ejection of small tenants--“Mailers”--Hebrides--Real Highland grievance--Title-deeds--The two sides of the Highland Question--Truth on both sides--Excessive population--Argument of those who condemn depopulation--The sentimental and military arguments--Testimony as to wretched condition of Highlanders--Highlands admirably suited for sheep--Effect of sheep-farming on Highland scenery--Highlands unsuited to black cattle--Large and small farms--Interference--Fishing and farming cannot be successfully united--Raising rents--Depopulation--How far the landlords were to blame--Kelp--Advantages and disadvantages of its manufacture--Potatoes--Introduction into the Highlands--Their importance--Failures of Crop--Disease--Amount of progress made during latter part of 18th century. As we have said already, the Highlanders, chiefs and people, were so confounded, and prostrated by the cruel proceedings and stringent measures which followed Culloden, that it was some time ere they could realise the new position of affairs. Little alteration appears to have, for some years, been effected in the relationship subsisting between people and chiefs, the latter being now simply landlords. The gentlemen and common people of the clans continued to regard their chief in the same light as they did previous to the abolition of the jurisdictions, for they did not consider that their obedience to the head of the clan was in the least dependent upon any legislative enactments. They still considered it their duty to do what they could to support their chief, and were still as ready as ever to make any sacrifice for his sake. At the same time, their notions of the chief’s duty to his people remained unaltered; he, they thought, was bound as much as ever to see to it that they did not want, to share with them the land which belonged to the chief not so much as a proprietor, but as the head and representative of his people. The gentlemen, especially, of the clan, the tacksmen or large farmers, most firmly and sincerely believed that they had as much right to a share of the lands as the chief himself, their relation; he was as much bound to provide for them as a father is bound to make provision for his children. There is no doubt also that many of the chiefs themselves, especially the older ones, held the same belief on this matter as their subordinates, so that in many instances it was not till the old laird had passed away, and a new one had filled his place, that the full effect of the measures already described began to be felt. Of course, many of the chiefs and gentlemen who had