Where Life Is Somewhat Improved, They Are Now Made
Of Leather Tanned With Oak Bark, As In Other Places, Or
With the
bark of birch, or roots of tormentil, a substance recommended in
defect of bark, about forty years ago,
To the Irish tanners, by one
to whom the parliament of that kingdom voted a reward. The leather
of Sky is not completely penetrated by vegetable matter, and
therefore cannot be very durable.
My inquiries about brogues, gave me an early specimen of Highland
information. One day I was told, that to make brogues was a
domestick art, which every man practised for himself, and that a
pair of brogues was the work of an hour. I supposed that the
husband made brogues as the wife made an apron, till next day it
was told me, that a brogue-maker was a trade, and that a pair would
cost half a crown. It will easily occur that these representations
may both be true, and that, in some places, men may buy them, and
in others, make them for themselves; but I had both the accounts in
the same house within two days.
Many of my subsequent inquiries upon more interesting topicks ended
in the like uncertainty. He that travels in the Highlands may
easily saturate his soul with intelligence, if he will acquiesce in
the first account. The Highlander gives to every question an
answer so prompt and peremptory, that skepticism itself is dared
into silence, and the mind sinks before the bold reporter in
unresisting credulity; but, if a second question be ventured, it
breaks the enchantment; for it is immediately discovered, that what
was told so confidently was told at hazard, and that such
fearlessness of assertion was either the sport of negligence, or
the refuge of ignorance.
Enter page number
PreviousNext
Page 60 of 212
Words from 15871 to 16170
of 56696
