24 



for a fire-brigade ; and so we were enabled to disembark 

 at Garmouth witb all the grace and dignity characteristic 

 of our Society. 



Almost unconsciously we bent our steps to the river, 

 to where the railway was to cross the broad, bare, stony 

 estuary. Engineering operations were in full swing, in 

 search of a reliable foundation for the piers of the viaduct. 

 At first no especial difficulty was anticipated, and the 

 opinion was endorsed by the striking of sandstone rock at 

 a depth of about 20 feet. Much more difficulty was en- 

 countered in the case of the main pier ; indeed, to such 

 a depth were operations unsuccessfuly carried on, that 

 one firm after another threw up the contract, and the 

 question became one of intense interest and anxiety. At 

 last, by the sinking of segmented cylinders to the depth 

 of about 60 feet, under the direction of Mr. W. Stephen- 

 son, for Mr. Fyfe, Aberdeen, a substantial foundation was 

 secured. There was no other object of interest to be visited 

 here, nothing to stimulate that peculiar diversity and 

 perversity of opinion to be always found where two or 

 three are gathered together. There was one point, but 

 upon it there was complete unanimity of admiration. It 

 was the beautiful irregularity — the profound regard for 

 disarrangement which pervades Garmouth, its houses, 

 lanes, streets, and gardens. It has an historical association, 

 though, worth mentioning. King Charles II. landed here 

 on the 23rd day of June, 1650, having been "moved to 

 come to Scotland and embrace the Covenant," and, in a 

 house, the site only of which remains, belonging to the 

 Laird of Innes, he signed the Solemn League. That was 

 a great day for Garmouth, and is still annually commemo- 

 rated in Maggie Fair, named after the Laird of Innes' Lady. 

 I do not know what feelings were most prevalent amongst 

 our party during the next few miles' drive. There lay 



