The opening of Chapter XLII
Social condition of the Highlands--Black Mail--Watch Money--The Law--Power of the Chiefs--Land Distribution--Tacksmen--Tenants --Rents--Thirlage--Wretched State of Agriculture--Agricultural Implements--The Caschroim--The Reestle--Methods of Transportation--Drawbacks to Cultivation--Management of Crops --Farm Work--Live Stock--Garrons--Sheep--Black Cattle--Arable Land--Pasturage--Farm Servants--The Bailte Geamhre--Davoch-lands --Milk--Cattle Drovers--Harvest Work--The Quern--Fuel--Food --Social Life in Former Days--Education--Dwellings--Habits --Gartmore Papers--Wages--Roads--Present State of Highlands.
As we have already (see ch. xviii.) given a somewhat minute description of the clan-system, it is unnecessary to enter again in detail upon that subject here. We have, perhaps, in the chapter referred to, given the most brilliant side of the picture, still the reader may gather, from what is said there, some notion of what had to be done, what immense barriers had to be overcome, ere the Highlander could be modernised. Any further details on this point will be learned from the Introduction to the History of the Clans.