56 
whose perpendicular height is 3240 feet. Two men 
went out with us, who carried provisions and rum, 
of which I drank, during the whole of our expedi- 
tion, three wine-glasses with great advantage, for at 
the top of the hill it was extremely cold, and rain 
came on, so that we were, nearly all the time we were 
at the top, wrapt in clouds: we ascended the highest 
point, on which we stood as on an island in a sea 
of clouds; from time to time, however, we had trans- 
ient views of the country below us, as if by enchant- 
ment; on one side Loch Lomond chequered with 
islands; on the other, a sweet valley with the Forth 
winding through it in the most fantastic manner ; 
on the north-east side, the mountain is absolutely 
perpendicular, and we looked straight down on the 
river at its foot. We found a great number of very 
rare plants, which amply rewarded us for our journey, 
and about six o'clock began to descend again, and 
got back to Luss before nine. 
On our return home we saw Carron iron-works, 
which are really stupendous, and the ancient town 
and castle of Linlithgow: the country most of the 
way is barren and dreary, consisting of fields of 
starved barley, and turfy moors. 
I have had a very obliging letter from Dr. Brous- 
sonet: he says he has sent mea copy of a book he 
has lately published on fishes. He is now at Paris. 
Your affectionate, 
J. E. SMITH. 
