NORTH-BERWICK-LAW. — TAMT ALLAN. 



59 



but happily without loss of life, as the flood began early in the afternoon, and 

 expended its fury before night. 



Returning to the coast, the hill of North Berwick-law forms an imposing 

 feature in the landscape. From its isolated position, and conical shape, it has 

 very much the appearance, if not proof, of volcanic origin, and long served as 

 a beacon-station in times of war. The country around is highly cultivated, 

 populous, and productive; and bordering the sea — where the stonn-defying 

 Bass looks like an imincible out-post, planted amidst the waters for the pro- 

 tection of the coast — is at all seasons full of beauty and historical interest. The 

 town, itself a royal borough although with only a village population, was a 

 place of no small importance in ancient times ; and in the present, keeps due 

 pace with its neighbours in local improvement. 



A short distance westward, and cro^vning a gentle eminence which commands 

 one of the finest views in Lothian, are the remains of a Cistercian Nunnery, 

 founded and Uberally endowed by Duncan, Thane of Fife, in the early part 

 of the twelfth century. In the opposite direction, the Castle of Tamtallan, 

 renovmed for its strength, remarkable for its position, and long considered, 

 par excellence, as the " impregnable," is highly deserving of a visit. Its ruins 

 are calculated to make a strong impression upon every one conversant with the 

 times and purposes when such structures were indispensable, and supplied — not 

 only the means of security, but too frequently, also, the means of oppression. 

 It is pleasing to contemplate such places, independently of their picturesque 

 effect, gradually sinking into the earth, like that despotism which they were 

 raised to support. It evinces that happy change in the social system, when 

 good faith is no longer measui-ed by the strength of the fortress ; and when the 

 vassal and his lord are alike the subjects of the law, and are punished or pro- 

 tected — not with forbearance on one hand, and severity on the other, but with 

 rigid regard to personal desert, and impartial justice. This is the triumph of 

 humanizing principles, the glory of our own times, and proclaims the difference 

 between an age of barbarism and an age of refinement. Few who have travelled 

 much, but have remarked, that, in all countries where such fortresses are nume- 

 rous, and scrupulously preser^^ed, mankind either are, or deserve to be, slaves. The 

 fii'st step to freedom is to break the chains, and that line of dilapidated fortresses 

 which still frown along the coast, are but so many broken chains which so often 

 enslaved the people, and raised the standard of rebeUion against the prince. 

 What tales of treason, suffering, and oppression, have been concerted, inflicted, 

 and endured, within such ramparts as these! It is pleasing, we repeat, to 

 witness such monuments in decay. 



