In all greater questions, however, there is now happily an end to all fear or hope from malice or from favour.  The roads are secure in those places through which, forty years ago, no traveller could pass without a convoy.  All trials of right by the sword are forgotten, and the mean are in as little danger from the powerful as in other places.  No scheme of policy has, in any country, yet brought the rich and poor on equal terms into courts of judicature.  Perhaps experience, improving on experience, may in time effect it.

Those who have long enjoyed dignity and power, ought not to lose it without some equivalent.  There was paid to the Chiefs by the publick, in exchange for their privileges, perhaps a sum greater than most of them had ever possessed, which excited a thirst for riches, of which it shewed them the use.  When the power of birth and station ceases, no hope remains but from the prevalence of money.  Power and wealth supply the place of each other.  Power confers the ability of gratifying our desire without the consent of others.  Wealth enables us to obtain the consent of others to our gratification.  Power, simply considered, whatever it confers on one, must take from another.  Wealth enables its owner to give to others, by taking only from himself.  Power pleases the violent and proud:  wealth delights the placid and the timorous.  Youth therefore flies at power, and age grovels after riches.

The Chiefs, divested of their prerogatives, necessarily turned their thoughts to the improvement of their revenues, and expect more rent, as they have less homage.  The tenant, who is far from perceiving that his condition is made better in the same proportion, as that of his landlord is made worse, does not immediately see why his industry is to be taxed more heavily than before.  He refuses to pay the demand, and is ejected; the ground is then let to a stranger, who perhaps brings a larger stock, but who, taking the land at its full price, treats with the Laird upon equal terms, and considers him not as a Chief, but as a trafficker in land.  Thus the estate perhaps is improved, but the clan is broken.

It seems to be the general opinion, that the rents have been raised with too much eagerness.  Some regard must be paid to prejudice.  Those who have hitherto paid but little, will not suddenly be persuaded to pay much, though they can afford it.  As ground is gradually improved, and the value of money decreases, the rent may be raised without any diminution of the farmer’s profits:  yet it is necessary in these countries, where the ejection of a tenant is a greater evil, than in more populous places, to consider not merely what the land will produce, but with what ability the inhabitant can cultivate it.  A certain stock can allow but a certain payment; for if the land be doubled, and the stock remains the same, the tenant becomes no richer.  The proprietors of the Highlands might perhaps often increase their income, by subdividing the farms, and allotting to every occupier only so many acres as he can profitably employ, but that they want people.