Kings MS 105

'AN OECONOMICAL HISTORY of the Hebrides or Western Islands of Scotland', by John Walker, D.D., Professor of Natural History in the University of Edinburgh. According to the author's letter(f.3),which is unsigned and addressed to 'H.M. Commissioners at the Board of Annexed Estates', at whose desire the work was undertaken, he professes to give 'a general description of the countries, of their soil and climate, and of the customs and manners of the people; to mark everywhere the prices of labour and of commodities, the nature and extent of the exports and imports, and the causes of population and depopulation; to describe the present state of agriculture, manufacture, and fishery; and to point out the most obvious methods for the advancement of these usefull arts'. In the introduction to An economical History of the Hebrides and Highlands of Scotland by the same author, published in 1808, apparently after his death, it is stated (p. 2) that Dr. Walker received commissions in 1764 and 1771 from the above-named Board 'to examine the natural history of these countries', &c. ; but that his report, which 'formed a large folio volume'and remained some time in possession of the Board, 'has since disappeared and,. even after much enquiry to recover it, has been given up as lost'. The present MS. is probably the missing volume. lt differs entirely from the printed work, which is arranged under subjects, whereas the MS. is arranged under places.

Paper; ff. 138. Folio. 14³/₄ in. x 10 in. XVIII cent. Crimson morocco binding, tooled.