176 MEMORIAL TRIBUTE 



water. The western sun shines in full splendour in 

 a sky unobscured, although scattered flakes of white 

 vapour glide slowly eastward in its upper region. 

 Long shadows are projected from the tall pines, while 

 the hill-tops, purpled with flowering heath, or grey 

 with lichen-crusted stones, are lighted with the blaze. 

 Far away up the wooded glens is still seen the scarred 

 ridge of Lochnagar. Not a breath stirs the tiny leaf 

 of the birch, nor a sound is heard but from the waters. 

 Ouaht not he to whom Providence has allotted all 

 this to be happy ? The scene is mine and thine ; 

 but happiness comes not from without. Yet, O 

 Invercauld ! thou hast a patrimony of beauty. May 

 it long be enjoyed by thee and thine. I see iu)thing 

 wanting but scattered homes of happy tenants, and 

 little patches of yellow corn, and cows feeding by the 

 river, and sheep on the hills. — Natural History of 

 Dees-ide, p. 56. 



27. — The Raven — Poor Bird ! 



It is now beginning to get dusky. The croak 

 of the raven seems to warn us of the approach 

 of night. Poor bird ! he has little cause to harbour 

 friendly feelings towards us ; for fearful has been 

 the persecution which he and his race have suffered, 

 if not at our hands, yet at those of our kindred. 

 Very seldom now is a raven to be met with, even 

 in this wild tract of mountain and glen : gamekeepers 



