NIMUOD'S NORTIIEllN TOUR. 393 



south by the Ochill mountains, of nearly Alpine height, and at this time, 

 Soracte-Hke, made to appear still higher than they are, by their summits 

 being capped with snow. But I had nearly forgotten one part of my 

 story ; — a notice of the fine vale of Strathearn, in which this abbey 

 stands. It is thirty miles in length, watered by fine rivers, and filled 

 with seats of noblemen and gentlemen beyond what is often to be found 

 in any part of Great Britain. In fact, I reckoned a list of seventeen 

 seats, amongst which are those of Lords Strathearn, Kinnaird, Lyndoch, 

 Willoughby D'Ereby, and Rolls; Dowager Lady Baird ; Sirs Robert 

 Dundas, Patrick Murray, John Stewart, &c., &c., of the occupiers of 

 which, or their sons, twelve take the field w'ith the hounds. The 

 gallant and sporting Lord Lyndoch has a large property in the vale, on 

 which, as may be imagined, there is no lack of foxes. 



But a word or two more of the abbey, for I can assure you, reader, it is 

 well worth your notice, should your steps lead you towards Strathearn. 

 It is a rich specimen of the Gothic, originally designed by Crichton, 

 assisted by the taste of Mr. Moray — who, by the works which I saw in 

 his library, has made architecture his study — and the late additions are 

 from the designs of Mr. Dickson, of Edinburgh, successor, I believe, t o 

 Crichton. It is built of the stone of the country, peculiarly adapted 

 by its colour, — which is a light grey,— to the chaste features of the 

 edifice, and doubtless conveying to a chastened eye that calm and sober 

 pleasure which arises from grand and simple symmetry. It must elicit 

 applause, however, from all beholders, not merely by its effect, which is 

 imposing to a great degree, but from a consideration of the labour, the 

 cost, and the artifice employed in its construction. 



My limits will not admit of a minute description of the interior of this 



3 E 



