606 Dinhur Castle, its Gardens and Gardeners. 



nurses (planted too near at first, and neglected to be thinned 

 afterwards), as is too generally the case in Scotland; and we 

 trust all the specimens will be named, as is now being done by 

 the Woods and Forests, at our suggestion, in St. James's Park 

 and Kensington Gardens. 



(Tb be continued. ~) 



Art. II. Dinbur Castle, its Gardens and its Gardeners. By Peter 



Mackenzie. 



{Continued from p. 499.) 



Sandy MacAlpine now began to make preparations for his che- 

 mical experiments. He had procured an old gun-barrel from a 

 blacksmith, about a yard of tin pipe, such as is used by those 

 who provide gas furnishings: he had provided himself also with 

 a box that would hold two or three gallons of water, to serve as 

 a pneumatic trough ; a few ounces of the black oxide of manga- 

 nese: and he had likewise collected the largest bell-glasses from 

 the hothouse, to be used as receivers. Sandy had learned some 

 time before that a dancing was to take place in the neighbour- 

 hood of the garden, and that Bauldy had got an invitation to it; 

 and he and the other two thought that if they could prevent him 

 from attending it they would be doing him a good service ; so it 

 was resolved, if possible, to have their meeting that night in the 

 bothy. A day or two before the time came, they told Bauldy 

 what they intended to do. He appeared much disappointed 

 at their arrangements, and said little. When the day came, 

 there were signs which made them believe that Bauldy would 

 not be one of their company at night. The arrival of his linen 

 shirt, white trowsers, and stockings, from the washing, showed 

 plainly that he had something else in view than stopping at 

 home that night ; however, the others were determined to go on 

 with what they had proposed. 



When the hour came which terminated the labours of the 

 day, Bauldy made all haste to get home, and, scarcely taking 

 time to eat any thing, began washing and dressing himself. 

 After he was done, he found that he had still some time before 

 his part}' would meet, so he thought he might as well remain in 

 the bothy as anywhere else. The others were not idle during 

 this space; they were busy assisting Sandy in arranging his che- 

 mical apparatus, Bauldy in the mean time looking on, a silent 

 spectator. He knew what fiddling, and dancing, and singing 

 were, but he could not comprehend what Sandy MacAlpine was 

 about to do with an old gun-barrel, water in a box, and bell- 

 glasses. His wonder increased when he saw him put some 



