13 



former days in this part of the kingdom against the 

 incursions of the English marauders. These build- 

 ings were in the shape of square towers, three stories 

 in height ; the lowest one, on the ground floor, heing 

 vaulted, was commonly appropriated for the recep- 

 tion of cattle and horses in times of danger. These 

 towers of refuge are placed alternately on each side 

 of the river, and command a view of each. A fire 

 kindled on the top was the ordinary signal of alarm, 

 and hy this simple means a large extent of country 

 was readily called into hostile activity. 



" A score of fires, I ween, 

 From height, and hill, and cliff were seen, 

 Each with warlike tidings fraught, 

 Each from each the signal caught ; 

 Each after each they glanced in sight, 

 As stars arise upon the night, 

 They gleam' d on many a dusky tarn, 

 Haunted by the lonely earn,* 

 On many a cairn's grey pyramid, 

 Where urns of mighty chiefs lie hid." 



Lay of the Last Minstrel. 



Following, with rod in hand, the course of the 

 river, on its northern banks, we pass a succession of 

 country seats, the grounds about which are culti- 

 vated with singular care and neatness. The fishing 

 waters, all the way down to Innerleithen, a distance 

 of six miles from Peebles, are of the most favourable 

 and inviting kind, both for salmon and trout. 



Inverleithen has, of late years, become quite a 



"Scottish Eagle. 



