138 SCOTLAND ILLUSTRATED. 



which must ever constitute his chief gratification — the opportunity of witnessing 

 the happiness of his subjects, and of receiving the most convincing proofs of 

 their faithful attachment and loyalty. He takes leave of Scotland with the 

 most cordial feelings of affection towards her people, and with the deepest 

 anxiety to promote their welfare." The same flattering sentiments are expressed 

 in a letter to Sir Walter Scott, of which the annexed is a copy : — " The king 

 wishes to make you the channel of conveying to the Highland chiefs, and their 

 followers, veho have given to the varied scene which we have witnessed so 

 pecuUar and romantic a character, his particular thanks for their attendance, 

 and his warm approbation of theu* uniform deportment. He does justice to 

 the ardent spirit of loyalty by which they are animated ; and is convinced that 

 he could offer no recompense for their services so gratifying to them, as 

 the assurances which I now convey of the esteem and approbation of their 

 Sovereign."* 



We now close our brief, and necessarily imperfect, account of the King's 

 Visit to Scotland, and prosecuting our tour westward, revert to the scenery 

 of West Lothian, of which Hopetoun-house, with its immediate landscape, 

 forms one of the most striking features. The building was commenced by 

 Charles, first earl of Hopetoun, in 1696, after a plan by the celebrated architect. 

 Sir Wilham Bruce of Kinross, and completed within the last century by 

 Mr. Adam, to whom the coimtry is indebted for many specimens of correct 

 taste and classic architecture. The great natural advantages of the spot selected 

 for this baronial edifice contributed most materially in giving effect to the 

 labours of art. Every embeUishment, to a certain extent, was made to har- 

 monize vvith those beauties which nature with liberal hand had scattered around. 

 Under the direction of skill and taste, the lawn, gardens, and shrubberies, were 

 planned so as to enhance the general effect without hurting any of its propor- 

 tions ; and present single points of view and combinations of scenery which 

 excite universal admiration. The house crowns a gentle acclivity, gradually 

 rising from the water's edge, and from its magnificent terrace commands a 

 prospect which the united testimony of all northern travellers has rendered 

 proverbial. The Fritli, whose broad estuary partakes at this point of the 

 combined character of ocean and river — but during a storm assumes all tlie 

 distinctive grandeur of the former — may be traced in all its sinuous crystal 

 " links " to the base of the mountain chain fi-om which it descends. From the 

 more elevated points the spectator takes in at one view the whole valley, and 



• Both letters dated Edinburgh, August 29tli, 1822, and signed,— " ii«6er< Peel." 



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