FALL of F T E R s. 
jQ'TRjiTH-ERRICK is a peculiar region, lying to the fouth of Loch-nefs , which, 
though confiding of a fpecies of romantic valleys amid very lofty mountains, 
abounding in good padure, and corn-fields; yet even the bottoms are very high 
ground, feveral hundred yards above the level of the lake. 
The rivulets which take their rife amid thefe mountains, and run through the 
valleys, as their courfe is not long, mud, from the above caufe, be frequently pre- 
cipitated from confiderable heights ere they fall into Loch-nefs. Of thefe torrents 
that which forms the Fall of Fyers is the chief. The immenfe fize of the furround- 
ln g cliffs contributes to its fuperior greatraefs ofeffed*. The uproar of the 
waters ; and the column of fpray, rifing, like the fmoke of a mighty furnace, high 
into the air ; give to the traveller the fird indications of the greatnefs of the ap- 
proaching fcene. From fome projeding cliffs, which overhang the abyfs into 
which the catarad is plunged, the fall is beheld in the mod fuperb plenitude of 
its effed. 
It requires fome refolution to come down, through rugged paths, iand rocks, and 
thickets, to that tremendous fituation. A late celebrated Dodor acknowledges 
“ trembled as he advanced.” The gulph beneath is of fuch dreadful depth, 
tnat one Oirinks with horror to look into it; while the immeafurable height and 
-xtent of the cliffs above, add to the folemnity of the fcene. 
Dodor Johnfon, with judice, faid, " it drikes the imagination with all the gloom 
and grandeur of Siberian folitude.” The river is obfervable at a confiderable 
height, gliding between the mountains, encreafing its tumult as it advances amidd 
the upper precipices, roaring againd the oppofitions given it by oppofing rocks, 
and ffruggling for expanfion until it approaches the vad precipice which occafions 
the fall. Here lingering a fullen moment, it hovers over the gulph. The whole 
weight of water then, poured without refidance from fo amazing a height, rulhes 
forth a mighty torrent, dalhing the rocks, with horrid noife and impetuofity, in 
its way. 
“ It leaves in air a thunder of its own,” 
which echoes in dreadful murmurs through the rocky dale. 
* See Tour in Scotland, 1769, p. 199. 
B 
The 
