i8 ■yaS'alfes at "JStTmbermete, 



between the grounds of Elleray Bank and the Bingle, the 

 Old Cottage under the tree cannot fail to be recognised. A 

 more suitable picture than this, wherewith to wind up the 

 glorious series presented to the eye during the foregoing 

 ramble, could scarcely be desired. Here Wilson came after 

 his university career, and spent a merry life ; and here he 

 brought his bride in 1811. The last of the Professor's ser- 

 vants, ^ old James Newby,' the gardener, held his post at this 

 cottage until 1869. Billy Balmer, the favourite boatman, 

 and others, had gone some years before. Observe the fine 

 old sycamore, about which the enthusiastic Professor says : 

 * Never in this well-wooded world, not even in the days of the 

 Druids, could there have been such another tree ! It would 

 be easier to imagine two Shaksperes. Yet I have heard people 

 say it is far from being a large tree. A small one it cannot be, 

 with a house in its shadow — an unawakened house, that looks 

 as if it were dreaming. True, 'tis but a cottage, a Westmor- 

 land cottage. But then it has several roofs shelving away 

 there in the lustre of the loveliest hchens ; each roof with its 

 own assortment of doves and pigeons preening their pinions 

 in the morning pleasance. O, sweetest and shadiest of all 

 sycamores, we love thee beyond all other trees.' 



ELLERAY. 

 (One mile and three-quarters.) 



A great portion of these beautiful grounds has recently 

 been thrown open to the public by the kindness of Mr. 

 Heywood. Here, on a summer evening, the admirer of 

 Wilson can enjoy an hours stroll under the shade of the 

 trees whose growth the Professor himself watched with great 

 solicitude. Entering by the gate nearly opposite the post- 

 office, a narrow gap in the laurel fence on the right will soon 

 be found. A small iron wicket gives access to the carriage- 



