An Economical History of the Hebrides and Highlands of Scotland. In Two Volumes. (Volumes I and II)
Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, 1808. First edition, two volumes (complete). Octavo, full leather binding restored with newer leather spines, spines lettered and decorated in gilt, pp viii, 389, 416. New endpapers, with previous owner's armorial bookplate (Maclean of Ardgour) relaid on front endpaper of volume two with previous owner's contemporary signature (Arch. Clark) upper title-page of same volume, corners bumped otherwise both volumes in very good condition.
John Walker (1731–1803) was a Scottish minister and natural historian. He became known as one of Scotland's leading lay naturalists, which motivated the Church of Scotland and the Board of Annexed Estates to send him on exploratory tours of the Highland and Hebrides in 1764 and 1771. The posthumous publication based on these tours, "An Economical History of the Hebrides and Highlands of Scotland", is focused upon plants and agriculture. Sections include systems of land tenure, buildings and inclosure, farming instruments, types of crops, pasturage, livestock, forestry etc. Volume II also has a section on fossils and geology. The book ends with Walker's observations on increased emigration: "The present times afford the first instances of Highlanders in a body leaving their country, and even the kingdom, from necessity or disgust." Walker notes the factors behind what are now called the Clearances, and argues that they are calamitous and in need of counteraction. Walker had broad interests: alongside his scientific studies and publications he was joint founder of the Royal Society of Edinburgh in 1783 and moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in 1790. He became Regius professor of natural history at the University of Edinburgh from 1779 to 1803.This is a very good, well bound, first editon set of an important study of eighteenth-century Scotland from the library of Archibald Clark (with his signature to upper title page of second volume). Clark wa a prominent New Zealand politician and book collector. Item #106412
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