576 PICTURESQUE IMPROVEMENT. BOOK I. 



municate a gaiety analogous to the season ; and in the begin- 

 ning of autumn the leaves of the large wood strawberry and 

 beds of wild thyme redden the surface, and give a warmth and 

 rich appearance to the scene, which, in connexion with several 

 other more important circumstances, render it by far the most 

 enchanting in the neighbourhood of Edinburgh. Though this 

 little sequestered valley occupies more than two acres of sur- 

 face, and though a considerable brook runs through it, yet no 

 appendage of greatness can ever disturb its quiet. The sur- 

 rounding rocks forbid the approach of every kind of carriage, 

 and of almost every animal, except sheep, goats, and asses. 

 These may sometimes be seen browsing in the wood, or cropping 

 the green meadow in the centre : hares and game indeed are in 

 abundance, and sport themselves secure from the huntsman, as 

 do the trout in the river unalarmed by anglers. The groves, and 

 hanging thickets on the surroundingbanksresound with the notes 

 of the thrush and the woodlark, varied at intervals by the note 

 of the cushat dove ; and close upon the ear the hum of the wild 

 bee, in its flight from flower to flower, completes a harmony no 

 less in unison with every thing around, than with the emotions 

 ever felt in such scenes by minds susceptible of feeling the 

 beauties of nature. Fortunately, this scene is little frequented 

 because known to few. Even its proprietor who lives beside 

 it, and has retained it for upwards of fifty years, told me, that 

 as it did not bring in much rent he had only seen it once in his 



