NATIVF. SCENERY. GLENCO. 79 



deur and sublimity. The mountains are lofty precipitous at various points 

 here covered with natural wood, and there cleft into dark, narrow chasms, through 

 which torrents and cataracts rush down with foaming impetuosity, and fill 

 the solitude with their mingled roar. In other places the mountains are hol- 

 lowed by natural caves and grottoes each with its tradition which have 

 served as the stronghold of outlaws, or the dreary sanctuary of unfortunate 

 chiefs and their adherents. But of these we shall take more particular notice 

 as we proceed. 



The scenery of Glenco, through which we now continue our progress west- 

 ward, is proverbial for the wild sublimity of its features, and never fails to inspire 

 even the most experienced traveller with some degree of awe. As he proceeds 

 under the shadow of its stupendous rocks rocks that hide their summits in 

 the clouds, and from their scathed sides discharge a multitude of foaming 

 cataracts into the defile he can hardly believe that the valley could ever have been 

 peopled by civilized beings The mountains on either hand, protruding forward 

 in solid masses, and checkered with shallow furrows of red connecting clay, 

 exhibit a picture of striking desolation. A shrub, a handful of heath, a few 

 blades of grass, clinging at intervals to these interstices, are almost the only 

 symptoms by which Nature manifests her vivifying influence. Nearer the eye, 

 these occupy a wider space ; the crevices are filled with a mossy vegetation, 

 through which the dropping streams ooze forth in sparkling freshness, and, in 

 their progress downward, give life to a few dwarf oaks and birches that shade 

 their wayward course, and, from the moisture thus afforded, imbibe a mise- 

 rable existence. The highest summits present an aspect of complete sterility, 

 consisting of vast masses of pulverized mica and clay-slate, through which dark 

 isolated rocks start forth at intervals, and in every variety of shape here, like 

 truncated cones, and there, in serrated edges, or like aiguilles or pointed obelisks, 

 reminding travellers of the Alps. The glen exhibits nearly the same features at 

 both extremities ; the same aspect of mingled grandeur and sterility ; the same 

 chaos of rocks and frowning precipices which appear to exclude all human 

 intrusion, and to reserve this fearful solitude as an abode for spirits. But as 

 we advance towards the centre, the landscape undergoes a magical change. The 

 pass gradually opens the bleak rocks seem transformed into masses of rich 

 vegetation, and, at length, a crystal stream the Cona* of Ossian is seen gushing 

 in beauty and freshness from its parent lake. 



* " Their sound was like a thousand streams that meet in Court f vale, when, after a stormy night, they 

 turn their dark eddies between the pale light of the morning." " The gloomy ranks of Lochlin fell like 

 the banks of the roaring Cuna." " The roaring stream of Cona." Ossian. 



