197 
GLORIES OF LOCHNAGAR 
white vapour. Lochnagar has more dignity than 
any of our hills, except Ben Nevis. Natural 
History of Deeside, p. 55. 
25.—View from Invercauld Bridge. 
At length we stand on the lofty mid-arch of 
Invercauld Bridge. Before we pass on, let us 
pause once more—not because we are weary of 
travel or of the world. Here the bed of the Dee 
is obliquely intercepted by a broken ridge of slaty 
rock, passing from south-west to north-east. The 
stream is broken by it into a succession of little 
falls and rapids, and then glides away over its stony 
bed to wind afar amidst pine-clad hills. Beautiful 
scene ! I almost weep when I look upon thee ; for 
tears flow from the pure fountain of happiness as 
well as from the troubled springs of sorrow. How 
unlike, in thy quiet loveliness, to the fierce rudeness 
of human nature! Not a living creature is to be 
seen but a lad whipping the water. The western 
sun shines in full splendour in a sky unobscured, 
although scattered flakes of white vapour glide 
slowly eastward in its upper region. Long shadows 
are projected from the tall pines, while the hill-tops, 
purpled with flowering heath, or grey with lichen- 
crusted stones, are lighted with the blaze. Far 
away up the wooded glens is still seen the scarred 
ridge of Lochnagar. Not a breath stirs the tiny 
leaf of the birch, nor a sound is heard but from the 
