| Popis: |
The direction of our observations has been towards clarifying what has already been said about the causes of the Highland Clearances, and towards affirming the complexity of these causes. To label the problem of the Highland Clearances mould be to generalise grossly. Sheep or over -population have gone hand-in-hand with peculiarly local factors; there can be no doubt that each area reacted differently. As the result was the same, however, we feel justified in discussing the principle forces at work, and in substantiating our comments with contemporary evidence as far as possible. If the three fundamental questions in any scientific enquiry are; what is its point? is it true? and how does it help us? than we are assured in tackling our problem from its general causes and in clarifying and unpacking some of these generalisations. There are no doubt other ways of coming to the problem. We have said little of the morality of the way the clearances were enforced, and the decay they caused in the relationships among men. Neither have we taken particular evictions and expanded our observations into a general thesis; Sutherland affords an excellent opportunity to condemn the clearances without appreciating the historical necessity. We may regret the cruelty but the facts stand without regard for tears. |
