The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-01-26

only secured by strong straw ropes with heavy
stones hanging Mt their ends. In the northern
part OF this district 1t 10 scarcely possible to
grow tree Hedges are almost unknown. and
nngstonos arc used to separate tho fields.
Until a comparatively recent period, agricu-
turo was in II very backward state. and whore
any tillalse at all was carried on. the women did
the work OF horses. There was not barn or
granary In the shire, and the scanty corn was
preserved in the chat. stacked up in the shape OF
beehives matched quite round. When Pennant
visited the county century ago he described IT
as little better than an immense morass, with
here and there some patches OF oats and much
coarse grass But notwithstanding these bar
rem and chccrlcss features. Cathness Is ro-
deemed from monotony by it's glorious coast
scenery. On the cast. as well as on tho west, the
rocks jut out into the ocean in stupcndous cliffs,
and where tho currents OF tho Atlantic Ocean
and tho North Sea meet tho water IL churned
and oddied about rs in maelstrom. while the
procipitous shore Ia indented and honeycombcd
and ground away inton multitude OF chasms.
| Along the eastern ridge are reared numborless
castles. Most Of these are now I'm ruins. and
many OF them aro prehistoric. Most probably
these rude masses OF masonry werc tho strong
| holds Of tho Scandinavian chiefs who at some
unknown period held all the Lowand part OF
tho country. Caithness, indeed seems to have
been almost entirely Scandinavian. It's
very name is Morse while all the
creeks or bays. in which the vikings
ran their boats ashore are called 10y Norwegian
terms. Tho people. too resemble their pro-
genitors the fair hair. deep blue eyes. and tall
figures OF the Norsomcn are still preserved
throughout the shire. in contradistinction 10
the small size dark hair. swarthy skin. and
black or stcely blue eyes OF the Colts to tho
south and west OF Scotland; while II Ia
curious fact that up 70 iity years ago Cath
ness maintained a much closer commune
cation with the Scandinavian States than
with Great Britain. and the best descrp-
ton OF It's ports and towns was to DO found
in Danish Biographies. Thurso. where
Robert Dick settled down to My his trade. is no
other than Thorsa. or Thor's River. Tho burgh
is within sight Of Orkney. the Ultima Thule Of
| the Romans. and for centuries belonged TO tho
famous line OF Jarls ruling In that island. 1t
is the northernmost town in Great Britain. A
little further to the east rise few green nouns
revealing whore once stood John O'Groats
house. the lands End OF Scotland.
His biographor tells us that whom Dick came
to Thurso. with his strivngs after knowledge
banied. and his natural disposition saddcncd.
though not soured he resolved to make the best
OF his life. such as IL was. and he threw himself
| into nature. The earth and the sea. and the in
finite panorama Of animate existence. drew this
born scientist out OF the narrow sphere OF self
interest. Though he wandered about solitary
no had no time for melancholy dreams.
Every flower" says the author melted him.
| every shell touched him. even every beetle en-
graved itself upon hts mind Aud although
this keen observer dsccrned everywhere sig
nincancics. laws, chains OF cause and effect he
was not disposed TO Rcneralizo rashly from
xult. l.a IL, lta 81.
remarked in most halt educated men. he seems
To have recognized from the first tho true foun-
dalton Of right theorizng. Let us have facts"
he said. real. certain. unmistakable facts there
| can be no science without Them" And 80. with
| this inbred impulse, and this guiding princi-
| pie. after his bread was baked In the morning
and ready for sale. Robert Dick left the shop to
the care Of his housckecper and went forth to
prosecute along coast or river his study Of natu-
| raj history. Or he might take. perhaps a long
jaunt to tho moors and mountains. always re-
| turning home at night 10 prepare for the next
| days baking.
OF course the Thurso people did not quite un-
| derstand the proceedings OF their young baker
He made good bread and his biscuits were the
best In the town. But what could lie mean by
walking to Morven fifty miles away. and bring
Ing home only a few tufts Of moss2 What could
! W '''N '''A9'A " H'9 N'Nt.'"S WIN PlSAuNo III
old quarrles or pounding on inc rocks by tho
seashore with smlth's hammerf Ordinary
peoblo were grinding away Tor a wing work
ing nara NJ nagstones' or competing with each
| other TOT Increased trade whereas the nall dart
baker was wandering about Cailhness In his
| by-hours gathering ferns, stones. and grasses.
Even the boys who AZ hrst logged him about.
as II he hH oecn the local idiot, 10y rather
kept out oil his way. Tor people spoke ol him a.
uncanny anal wee thocht wrang'" He was
observed TO DC OMEN oedraboled about his fc"t
ana trousers ana he always wore swallow
talled COAT ana ehimney-po' nat OF antediluylan
shape inc only thirGs he renewed from time
70 uhe were ms trousers ana his hobnailed
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