THE LADIES* MAGAZINE OP GARDENING. 
287 
some mausoleum on the rising ground erected by the proprietor, Sir John 
Nasmyth, in memory of his wife, and three of his children, who died 
within a few days of each other of a typhus fever. There was also a 
curious old kitchen-garden, in which is preserved the stem of the first 
Agave americana that ever flowered in Scotland. 
In the neighbourhood of New Posso are the remains of some interesting 
old castles, one of which is said to be that in which Macbeth murdered 
the king. The situation of these ruins is very fine, and as they stand on 
a hill with a barren heath stretching before them on one side, as far as the 
eye can reach, they are in perfect harmony with the legend. Stobo 
Castle, the seat of Sir Graham Montgomery, is a fine old place, very near 
New Posso. We crossed the Tweed, by fording it several times in the 
course of the day, and the ride by the banks of the river was very 
delightful; as we approached Peebles the views became very fine. The 
hills were green to their very summits, and their sides were clothed with 
plantations disposed in the most tasteful manner. The descent into the 
town, leaving the fine old castle of Nidpatli, on the bank of the Tweed, 
to the right, was particularly beautiful. 
August 2nd .—Peebles to Melrose .—I was delighted with the romantic 
situation of Peebles. The fine old bridge, Nidpath Castle hanging over 
the beautiful silver sheet of water formed by the Tweed, and the luxuriant 
plantations on the hills beyond the town, formed a lovely picture, which 
is vividly impressed on my memory. We soon, however, left it far 
behind us, and proceeded to Traquair, a curious old place, well known 
by the Scotch ballad u The bush aboon Traquair.” This celebrated bush 
is situated on an eminence, directly in face of the house; and it was 
formerly a little grove or bosquet, but only two trees now remain. The 
house itself, with its ancient terraces, its avenue of old trees, and above 
all by the rampant stone bears affixed on the posts of the entrance-gates, 
reminded me of the dwelling of the Baron of Bradwardine. The appear¬ 
ance of the house was very singular, as it was divided into three distinct 
parts, consisting of a centre and two pavilions, with a double terrace 
connecting them, and with a court-yard covered with turf, so that the 
carriages of visitors had no means of approaching the entrance but by 
driving over the grass. 
We then drove to the pretty little town of Inverleithen, where we 
happened to arrive during the celebration of the rustic games for which 
that place is renowned. While our horses were feeding we walked to 
the green, and were very much pleased with the strength and dexterity 
displayed by the candidates. After a delightful ride along the banks of 
the Tweed, and passing Yair house and plantations, where we were sorry 
