74 MR BAIRD ON THE " FAIRY STONES." 



the ruin where the poor Sacristan was so uncivilly and unmercifully 

 ducked by the White Lady, and of the usual spot itself of that fair 

 creature's residence, the pastoral Valley of Glendearg. These several 

 scenes occur within a very few miles of each other, and in each and 

 all of them there is an interest and charm of no common nature, whether 

 we consider their own inherent beauties, or the many pleasing associa- 

 tions which either the genius of the poet's pen, or the deeds of other 

 years, have thrown around them. Of these various scenes, however, the 

 last is the one which at present is more immediately interesting to us, 

 as it is the scene where not only many of the principal events of the 

 romance are supposed to have taken place, but where also the curious 

 substances occur which are to form the subject of our present specula- 

 tions. This pleasing little valley commences about two miles westward 

 from the town of Melrose, its general direction being from north to south, 

 and extending in length about five miles. It is watered by a limpid 

 little mountain stream, named the Elwand or Allan Water, which, after 

 forming some very pleasing scenes, discharges itself into the Tweed on 

 its northern bank, and near the site of the ancient bridge across that 

 river. Towards the south, the valley thus opens into the wider vale of 

 the Tweed, while at its northern extremity is situated the ruin of 

 Hillslop Tower, the undoubted Glendearg of the romance. 



There are several ways of access to this valley leading from different 

 directions, but to see and to examine its scenery to the greatest advan- 

 tage, the most interesting, although certainly not the shortest, is by the 

 streamlet's side, along a winding path through Langlee-wood, the pro- 

 perty of Lord Somerville. During this part of the walk the scenery is 

 very pleasing, although much contracted ; but on leaving it a wider glen 

 gradually opens to view, bounded on one side by a precipitous bank or 

 scaur of a reddish colour, varied here and there by a few intermingled 

 patches of green sward, and on the other by a series of more gently 

 swelling eminences, forming, from their more cultivated appearance, a 

 striking contrast to those opposite to them. Proceeding onwards this 

 kind of scenery continues for some time with little interruption, till we 

 arrive at a scene somewhat different, an amphitheatre of scaurs and pre- 

 cipices thickly strewed with copsewood, at the foot of which the streamlet 

 is seen working its troubled way. This spot is generally known by the 

 name of the " Fairy" or " Nameless Dean," and it is in this part of the 

 valley, as the name itself suggests, that the " Fairy Stones," as they are 

 vulgarly called, are most frequently found. These are of various sizes, 

 from that of a bean to two or sometimes three inches in circumference, 

 and of a great variety of shapes, some exhibiting the exact appearance 

 of hunting-caps, some of tea-pots, kettles, buttons, walnuts, &c. &c. 

 Generally speaking, however, their usual form is roundish, with a flat- 

 tened base ; and they are all seemingly composed of a pretty pure clay, 

 which yields more or less readily to the knife. They are almost in- 



