X 



HH 



belief, so sufpriz'd my genius, that it puz- 

 zles me to report these remote cariosities. 

 For you are to consider, sir, that the 

 whole tract of Scotland is but one single se- 

 ries of admirable delights, notwithstanding 

 the prejudicate reports of some men that 

 represent it otherwise. For if eye-sight be 

 argument convincing enough to confirm a 

 truth, it enervates my pen to describe Scot- 

 land's curiosities, which properly ought to 

 fall under a more elegant stile to range them 

 in order for a better discovery. For Scot- 

 land is not Europe's umbra^ as fictitiously 

 imagined by some extravagant wits : No, 

 it's rather a legible fair draught of the beau- 

 tiful creation, drest up with polish'd rocks, 

 pileasant savanas, flourishing dales, deep and 

 torpid lakes, with shady fir- woods, immerg'd 

 with rivers and gliding rivulets; where every 

 fountain o'reflows a valley, and every ford 

 superabounds with fish. Where also the 

 swelling mountains are covered with sheep, 

 and the rnarish grounds strewed with cattle, 

 whilst every field is fill'd with corn, and 

 every swamp swarms with fowl. This, in 

 my opinion, proclaims a plenty, and pre- 



