176 MEMORIAL TRIBUTE 



water. The western sun shines in full splendour in 

 a sky unobscured, although scattered flakes of white 

 vapour glide slowly eastward in its upper region. 

 Long shadows are projected from the tall pines, while 

 the hill-tops, purpled with flowering heath, or grey 

 with lichen-crusted stones, are lighted with the blaze. 

 Far away up the wooded glens is still seen the scarred 

 ridge of Lochnagar. Not a breath stirs the tiny leaf 

 of the birch, nor a sound is heard but from the waters. 

 Ought not he to whom Providence has allotted all 

 this to be happy ? The scene is mine and thine ; 

 but happiness comes not from without. Yet, O 

 Invercauld ! thou hast a patrimony of beauty. May 

 it long be enjoyed by thee and thine. I see nothing 

 wanting but scattered homes of happy tenants, and 

 little patches of yellow corn, and cows feeding by the 

 river, and sheep on the hills. Natural History of 

 Deeside, p. 56. 



27. THE RAVEN POOR BIRD ! 



It is now beginning to get dusky. The croak 

 of the raven seems to warn us of the approach 

 of night. Poor bird ! he has little cause to harbour 

 friendly feelings towards us ; for fearful has been 

 the persecution which he and his race have suffered, 

 if not at our hands, yet at those of our kindred. 

 Very seldom now is a raven to be met with, even 

 in this wild tract of mountain and glen : gamekeepers 



