HAWTHORNDEN. — DRUMMOND. — JONSON. 83 



The scenery between Roslyn and Hawthomden is proverbially celebrated as 

 one of the most picturesque and romantic localities in Britain, and in many 

 points may ^-ie with the softest features in Swiss landscape. The river, overhung 

 by richly wooded acclivities, and murmuring over its rocky and winding channel, 

 occupies nearly the entire space between the opposing cUiFs ; while, at intervals, 

 through the deep and variegated foliage, isolated rocks present their fantastic 

 forms — here, resembling the wreck of some feudal ruin, and there, covered 

 with moss, and flowers, and lichen, and pouring from their grey crevices a 

 silvery tribute into the stream beneath. The path, which serpentines under 

 the cliff, and along the very brink of the river, is one of the most delicious 

 summer walks that the imagination can paint ; while all the charms with 

 which nature has so profusely invested the pass, acquire additional beauty 

 and lustre from their immediate association with the classic solitudes of Haw- 

 thomden. 



On the precipice which overhangs the southern bank of the river, the house 

 of Hawthornden — embowered in trees, and undermined by caves, salutes the 

 stranger on his approach, and awakens many pleasing recollections of the poet 

 Drummond, and the traditions of Pictish kings.* It was in this beautiful 

 retreat that Drummond received with kindred spirit the celebrated visit from 

 Ben Jonson, who had walked from London on foot in order to pass a few 

 weeks with the Scottish poet, in his Scottish Tybuijrf 



On one of the streams which run into the South Esk, are the extensive ruins 

 of Borthwick Castle, the ancient residence of a powerful family, whose ancestor 

 is said to have accompanied Queen Margaret from Hungary to Scotland, in 



the country of an »nemy whom he had not yet vanquished in the field. The whole of that day's fighting, 

 says the historian, was evidently a series of blunders on the part of the invaders ; because, after the first 

 division had given way, the two remaining divisions ought obviously to have united their strength before 

 they encountered an enemy already elated with victory, and consequently possessing more than usual 

 intrepidity and discipUne. 



• There are various conjectures as to the origin of these artificial caverns. Dr. Stukely was of opinion 

 that they were used as one of the strongholds of the Pictish kings ; and, accordingly, one cave is called 

 the king's gallery, another the king's bedchamber, and a third the guard-room. The most probable opinion, 

 however, is, that they were intended to serve as places of refuge during the destructive wars that so long 

 subsisted between the Scots and Picts, or English and Scots. Detached from the principal caves is a small 

 one, called the Cypress Grove, where Drummond is said to have composed many of his poems, it was in 

 these caverns that the famous Sir Alexander Ramsay, who performed so many memorable exploits during 

 the contest between Bruce and Baliol, used to elude the pursuit of his enemies ; and where he was 

 attended by the young and patriotic warriors of his day, among whom it was an object of high ambition 

 to belong to his band. On the summit of the precipice adjoining these caves, a seat is invitingly placed 

 so as to command an enchanting view of the river and its banks.— Vide Stntht. Account. 



t The reader will find some highly interesting particulars in a late edition of the Poems of Drummond, 

 edited by Mr. Cunningham, jun. See Appendix to this work. 



