king's house. 311 



the formations of gneiss and mica-slate, and are 

 covered by the sienite. 



GLENCOE. 



We are now arrived at the line of rocks which 

 form the approach to Glencoe : the celebrated 

 scene of many affecting recollections, and of the 

 most astonishing natural grandeur, The road 

 here runs to the west, and continues in that di- 

 rection, through the mountain-hollow, with a 

 slight ascent, till we reach a point from which 

 the descent into the glen becomes at last ex- 

 tremely rapid. From this elevation, we begin to 

 descry the alpine objects which are soon to ex- 

 cite our admiration. 



The commanding prospects, which had hither- 

 to occurred, derive their advantage and effect 

 from the elevated position of the spectator. But 

 it is not till we advance towards the bottom of the 

 descent in the heart of Glencoe, that the amazing 

 scenery which strikes the eye on both sides, as- 

 sumes its peculiar character, and displays at once, 

 the whole features of its wildness and sublimity. 

 At this place, the abrupt and rugged fronts of the 

 precipices, alternately advancing and retiring from 

 the eye, in every possible variety of irregular form 5 

 the vast lateral recesses to the south, which dis- 

 cover the pointed summits towering behind ; the 



u 4 



