xii INTRODUCTION. 



in detail, and publish the results in the Journals of some of 

 our scientific institutions. 



When September had mellowedthegeneralaspect of nature, 

 the long-cherished desire of obtaining a glimpse of the High- 

 lands of Scotland filled our hearts anew, and we resolved to 

 visit the mountains and lakes so beautifully described by the 

 illustrious Scott. The weather was as fine as we could wish. 

 My good friend Macgillivray, by way of obtaining a holiday, 

 accompanied us, and, independently of the pleasure derived 

 from his conversation, we found him useful in pointing out ob- 

 jects with which he was familiar, and of which we might other- 

 wise not have learned the history. Early one morning we start- 

 ed, seven in number, for I took with me my dear little grand- 

 child, not above two months old, with the desire, perhaps, of let- 

 ting her breathe the mountain air. Every one acquainted with 

 Edinburgh, knows the Chain-Pier at Newhaven. There, then, 

 at eight o'clock we were, walking along its tremulous planks 

 with a feeling of giddiness, and presently after found ourselves 

 seated in the stern of a small steamer, bound for Stirling. 

 There was no wind, the skies were serene, and the smooth 

 waters were alive with shoals of young herrings, over which 

 hovered gulls of various species. On some bare rocks near 

 Aberdour, on the opposite coast, stood numerous cormorants, 

 while along the shore, guillemots and auks dived or flew, as 

 our boat approached them. After passing many beautiful 

 spots, we entered the narrow passage of the " Queen's Ferry," 

 and presently obtained a view of the distant hills. At length 

 we reached what I thought a very remarkable place for Scot- 

 land, a considerable extent of land embanked, and so much 

 resembling some portions of the shores of the lower Mississippi, 



