ANGLING REMINISCENCES. 145 



brawling of the stream below ! What various mu- 

 sics hath nature, and with how much of nicety do 

 they suit humanity ay, and operate on the heart, 

 moulding its moods and tempers according as they 

 are high or low, solemn or humorous, glad or terri- 

 fic! The voice of such a waterfall speaks home to 

 our feelings, and separates from the servile flesh, 

 where they are inhumed, those loftier portions of 

 our nature, that are akin to the Maker and God of 

 good. Among Scottish cataracts, Doctor, I would 



reckon this of C n not the least imposing. 'Tis 



in no wise hackneyed or hurt by tasteless artifice, like 

 many of greater note, yet hath it all the sublimer cha- 

 racteristics of these. The body of water is strong 

 and straitly confined, descending vigorously over a 

 rampart of high rocks. 'Tis a gallant and terri- 

 ble leap, as of a whole legion into a pool of wrath 

 and alway in front arises a spray-spectre, taking 

 its form from the winds. You may mark it from 

 where we recline, but not so clearly as to distinguish 

 the rainbows with which it is inlaid. 



Swivel. To tell thee my mind, Bill, I am no 

 mighty admirer of waterfalls. Should they be well 

 reputed and praisingly talked of, my fancy is apt 

 to exaggerate their attractions, and when visiting 

 them I ever become disappointed. Yet such a cas- 

 cade as this, stumbled upon unexpectedly, fails not 

 to arrest ray attention. There are no violations of 

 nature throughout its confines no foot-print of the 

 Goth within the sanctuary ; all is secret as where 



K 



