THE MOUNTAIN. 



posed, everywhere over-topped it. Were I sim- 

 ply to assert, that, in some parts of Scotland, 

 the moss grows so tall as to rise considerably 

 above the highest branches of the trees, I should 

 scarcely be believed ; but you will see, by looking 

 at the drawings of each, that my statement is 

 quite correct. 



The day was pretty far advanced when we 

 reached the summit of the mountain ; but if our 

 ascent had been much more toilsome than it was, 

 and if, besides this, the interesting objects, which 

 at every step arrested our attention, had been en- 

 tirely wanting, it would have been well worth all 

 the labour to enjoy "at the end " such a feast for 

 the eyes as was then spread before us. To throw 

 ourselves at length on the grass at the summit, and 

 to assure ourselves that what we beheld was a real 

 scene, was the employment of the first few minutes. 

 To recollect that we were very hungry, and had 

 a sandwich in our pockets, was the next; and 

 never did I partake of so dainty a repast, for, 

 humble as was the fare, it seemed to have im- 

 bibed some new and exalted flavour from the 

 enchanting scenery by which we were surrounded. 

 The every-day work of satisfying the appetite 

 seemed to assure me that I really was not that 

 I fancied myself to be on the summit of a 

 mountain, an,d that the view around me com- 

 prised hills and valleys, which did not merely 

 exist in my imagination, but might actually be 

 traversed. The weather was still very fine clouds 

 were constantly passing, but far above us (high as 

 we were), and incessantly varying the shadows 

 thrown on the vast landscape beneath us not a 

 breath of wind was stirring. Loch Lomond lay 



