human creatures appear wandering about, among whom is a maniac, privileged to steer her course as she likes, and to feed at the expense of the public.

The women let their hair fall streaming down their backs, and dress very unbecomingly in blue woollen clothing, with very short waists, no stays, shoes, or stockings. The most civilized have ugly white caps. The men wear shoes and sometimes stockings; but except their blue caps with tartan binding, they are accoutred like common sailors or fishermen. There is no Rhoderick Dhu's becoming dress, nor Ellen in a snood and plaid. I never saw such a frightful set of women as the natives of this country. I believe the peat smoke blackens the complexion, and feeding upon oats is not favourable to its delicacy, although it is said to improve the sleekness of the horse.

Oswald is far from being exclusively devoted to his sport, though naturally, as he tells me, passionately fond of it; he frequently abandons

it for me. Yesterday he rowed me out on the loch before dinner, but soon preferring conversation he abandoned the oars to the boatman who accompanied us, and we thought not of fishing. He confided to me all his feelings, and the mortifying circumstance which had given him that pensive and sorrowful turn which now seems to be wearing off.

He had been lowered in his own estimation, but why that should be the case I know not, for his own conduct was upright. Perhaps his vanity being pained, might have had something to do with the mortification. He told me all, but mentioned no names.

A young lady, with whom he spent a month at a friend's house, attracted his admiration by her beauty, and the peculiar attention she bestowed on him. Clever and sprightly, she appeared to have no words or looks but for him-indeed he was the only young man staying in the house, which may account for it, as she was not inclined

to let her spirit of coquetry lie dormant. His heart was conquered, and she soon completely captivated him. He loved her, and told her so. She returned his regard, and accepted his vows. Oh! Julia, after that how could she changebut so it was. On seeing her again, he found her manner altered towards him, and her whole attention bestowed on another.

I could not help asking him if that other was something very transcendent. He smiled, and said he was not a fair judge of his merits, as they had scarcely exchanged a word together; but I saw by his looks, that even modest as he is, he could not consider that man as his superior.

"I thought, perhaps," said he, " I might be mistaken, and be foolishly jealous and fanciful, and therefore accepted the pressing invitation I received from the master and mistress of the house, to remain several days; I imagined by that time my fate would be ascertained,

for I could not so quickly erase from my heart an impression which had for some time past caused all my happiness.

"She obviously avoided me, and seemed distressed and uneasy whenever I approached her, particularly when my rival was in the way, and he was rarely absent from her. Once I found her alone for a few minutes, and I then asked her the meaning of this conduct, and if she really wished, as it appeared, to lose all recollection of our engagement.

"She answered, but with hesitation, in the affirmative; and I had not time to say more, for her new lover was returned to her side. But I had heard enough, and felt truly heart-broken, as I really had fixed my happiness on her, and revelled in the sweet idea of being blessed with a mutual attachment, which seemed to me a heaven upon earth. All my hopes were now levelled with the dust. I was satisfied of her indifference, and fancied myself unworthy of exciting a lasting sentiment. With myself, and

not with her, was I displeased, for I attributed her inconstancy to my own demerits.

"Before my departure, I spoke to her brother, telling him of the intention which had brought me there; for I thought some reason necessary to be given for intruding myself, as I had done, on their society, without previous acquaintance of any one of the family, except his sister. He urged me to remain, and used many persuasions which had no effect upon my determination of staying not a moment longer. I finished my discourse with him by saying, that as I concluded from all I saw, his sister would ultimately be the wife of another, my presence must be unwished for by all parties. He replied, civilly, but rather in a self-sufficient manner; for he appeared to be excessively puffed up with the hopes, or rather certainty, of his sister's marrying the gentleman whom he had brought from Edinburgh, and introduced to her, who, being a person of large fortune, and the second son of a Lord, whose title he will most probably