148 A V I E W O F 



the utmoft perfection. The Tay, which glides 

 gently through this valley, is almoft hid from the 

 .eye, while the lofty hills on each fide exhibit a view 

 which aftonifhes every beholder. Thefe were the 

 works of the late earl of Braedalbane, who thereby 

 fet an example worthy the imitation of all thofe who 

 wifh to improve their lands, and ornament their 

 country. 



Contiguous to this eftate, is that of the duke of 

 Athole, equally obligated to the two laft proprie- 

 tors, for every arTiftance which nature can receive 

 from art. The works of thofe illuflrious patriots 

 begin to appear fome miles above Blair, and are 

 continued, without intermiffion, to Birnam Wood 

 below Dnnkeld, the whole length meafuring near 

 thirty miles. In this extenfive valley, the beauti- 

 ful meanders of the Tay and the Tumel, are every 

 where fhaded with exotic, as well as native trees, 

 and all of them in a thriving condition. 



Thus, in a country where nature hath denied the 

 means of fuccefsful agriculture, that kind parent 

 points out to the inhabitants a progreffive, inex^- 

 hauflible fource of wealth, which cannot be injured 

 by unpropitious feafons, the events of war, or the 

 revolutions of empire. Nor doth it require the 

 expence, and labour, fo neccfTary for the raifing 

 of thofe fcanty crops of oats and barley, which 

 neither enrich the landlord, nor fupply the wants 

 of the tenant. On the contrary, a gentleman fe- 

 le&s the moft barren tracks of his eftate ; rocks, 

 fands, gravel, and other wafte grounds, un-fit for 

 agriculture or grazing. On thefe wilds he plants 

 firs, pines, and larches ; whicji, at the expiration 

 of thirty years, are ufed for various purpofes, and 

 when arts and commerce fhall be introduced into 

 thefe parts, the value will be trebled, as appears 

 from recent inftances in the neighbourhood of trad- 

 ing towns, where trees of this age have brought 



from 



