CARARACTS, AND INUNDATIONS. 2/1 



breadth eight : its greatest depth, which is between the point of 

 Firkin and Ben-Lomond, is a hundred and twenty fathoms. Besides 

 the fish common to the lochs are Guiniads, calle/l here Poans. 



At this time were living at the little village of Luss ihe following 

 persons, most amazing instances of cotemporary longevity ; and 

 perhaps proofs of the uncommon healthiness of the place. These 

 compose the venerable list : 



Rev. Mr. James Robertson, Minister, aged. . . . 90. 



Mrs. Robertson, his wife 86\ 



Anne Sharp, their servant, 94. 



Niel Macnaughtan, Kirk officer, 86. 



Christian Gay, his wife, 94. 



Walter Maclellan, 90. 



The country from Luss to the southern extremity of the lake 

 continually improves ; the mountains sink gradually into small hills; 

 the land is highly cultivated, well planted, and well inhabited. I 

 was struck with rapture at a sight so long new to me : it would 

 have been without alloy, had it not been dashed with the uncer- 

 tainty whether the mountain virtue, hospitality, would flourish with 

 equal vigor in the softer scenes I was on the point of entering on; 

 for in the Highlands every house gave welcome to the traveller. 



On the road side near Luss is a quarry of most excellent slates ; 

 and near the side of the lake, about a mile or two farther, is a 

 great heap of stones in memory of St. Mac-Kessog, Bishop and 

 Confessor, who suffered martyrdom there A. D. 520, and was 

 buried in Comstraddau church. 



The vale between the end of the lake and Dumbarton is unspeak- 

 ably beautiful, very fertile, and finely watered by the great and 

 rapid river Lewin, the discharge of the lake, which, after a short 

 course, drops into the Firth of Clyde below Dumbarton : there 13 

 scarcely a spot on its banks but what is decorated with bleacheries, 

 plantations and villas. Nothing can equal the contrast in this day's 

 journey, between the black barren dreary glens of the morning 

 ride, and the soft scenes of the evening, islands worthy of the re- 

 treat of Armida, and which Rinaldo himself would have quitted 

 with a sigh. 



Before I take my last leave of the Highlands, it will be proper to 

 observe that every entrance into them is strongly maiked by nature. 



