1883.] EXCURSION TO ETTRICK FOREST. 57 



than that to be had from this terrace. Every knoll and wooded slope has 

 its tale of romantic or love adventure, and seen now in the mellowing 

 sunshine of a bright Octooer morning, the scene seems haunted by the 

 very spirit of poetry. Drinking in with eye and ear the beauties of the 

 landscape and their associations, one could thoroughly appreciate Sir 

 "Wulter Scott's fine description : — 



' When summer smiled on sweet Bowhill 

 And July's eve, with balmy breath 

 Waved the bluebells on Newark heath ; 

 When throstles sung on Harehead Shaw, 

 And corn was green on C'arterhaugh ; 

 And flourished broad, Black Andro's oak. 

 The aged Harper's soul awoke ! 

 Then would he sing achievements high 

 And circumstance of chivalry ; 

 And Yarrow, as he rolled along, 

 Bore burden to the minstrel's song.' 



Bidding adieu to the exquisite grounds of Philiphaugn, the high road 

 is regained near the fine bridge which crosses the Yarrow, and affords 

 an entrance to Bowhill. Here the party was met by Mr. Martin, game- 

 keeper on the Bowhill Estate, who kindly a,cted as guide for the day, 

 pointing out many interesting scenes and objects as we passed along. 

 Continuing our course up the Yarrow, here hemmed in with graceful 

 woods whose autumnal colouring lends an added charm, and through 

 Harewood Glen on to Eoulshiels — a ruinous cottage notable as the 

 birthplace, iu 1771, of Mungo Park, the famous African traveller. 

 Broadmeadows is now reached, from Avhich a splendid view of the whole 

 of the vale of Yarrow, till it joins the Ettrick, is attained. Ahead are the 

 ' Dowie Dens of Yarrow,' whose ' treeless scenery, pastoral loveliness, 

 green colouring of the hillsides and slopes, deepened and darkened by the 

 flitting clouds, and the mournful murmur of the stream, impart a feeling 

 which harmonises with the wailing notes of the poet ' : — 



' Oh, that some minstrel's harp were nere 

 To utter notes of gladness. 

 And chase this silence from the air 

 That fills the heart with sadness !' 



Xearer at hand are the Hangingshaw Woods, and the sweeping planta- 

 tions of Black Andro', while below are the sweet woods of Bowhill, the 

 slopes of Philiphaugh adorned with glowing foliage, and the more open 

 reaches of Uakwood Tower. Then, in the verse of Wordsworth : — ; 

 ' That region left, the vale unfolds 

 Eich groves of lofty stature. 

 With Yarrow winding thro' the pomp 



Of cultivated Nature : 

 And rising from those lofty groves. 



Behold a ruin hoary 1 

 The shattered front of Newark's Tower 

 Renowned in Border story.' 



