New-York daily tribune., 1843-10-18
's The Hardship o the bonnie links O Forth
Is better than an Earldom O. the North"

The Hardship o. the bonnie links O Forth
Is better than Earldom O. the North'
No less than three "reminiscences Of America
were suggested during this little run Of forty
miles. The first was aroused by the island of
Jack Keith behind which Paul Jones with his
feet lay all night, greatly to the terror of the
good people Of Edinboro'. Atcrrible storm drove
him back, and fort, still visible, was erected on
the island OF Inch CARVE, to defend the city from
any mors such daring attacks. The second was
a uarm remembrance sent forth by MOTIFS
stove" in the cabin Of the boat. The third was
one Of contrast. On coming down after short
absence on deck, found that Scotchman had
taken paper containing some private mcmoran-
.da, out of book which had left on my chair
and was very coolly reading my notes and com
rnenting upon them to his friend. When | took
them from him with some emphatic remarks, his
apology was that he thought they belonged to
the beat" Had this occurred to an English ira
Weller in America, he would have set it down at
once as a capital specimen Of Yankee lmpu-
dcnce."
The river Forth on approaching & grey Stirling,
the bulwark of the North" winds like the MiSsis-
sppi, so that the town is seen on right and on
left-beforc and behind The Castle, perched like
an eagles nest, or bare and lofty rock, is Wis.
ible in every direction for many miles, and COM
mands, in its turn, magnificent view, extending
to Arthur's Seat, and including five battle fields,
and chief among them that OF Bannockburn The
old corporal whopointed out thelocalities as where
,>1, tol J. ~ I
traps for the cavalry, ana the hill on which the
sudden appearance of the "gillies" frightened tn,
English into fight, said with deep sigh, Ro
Bert Bruce was a mon OF might, sir, and ca
me mickle, that we shall neer sec again in Scot
land sccan a Draw chiel"
Stirling Castle is an interesting study for tn
anhquary, being thickly set with quaint statues
from whose feet strange figures, half man an
bali beast or bird project, as if swimming. Fac
has history, too long to recount in these hast
sctlinc notes; but one, called Cleopatra, is CT
rous. as bearing young crocodile, creeping owe
tie shoulder The Northern sculptor probsbl
interpreted thus the famous Asp OF the Egyptia
Queen.
In descending from the Castle, luckily lo
INV way, but found, instead a fine old palace-lil
structure, bearing the quaint inscription, 81
God is all my trust" said "Spista, &c. Sc
It proved to be hospital for decayed tradesme
erected and endowed about 1900, by one Robe
Spittal, tailor to Queen Margaret. How he a
ouiyed such wealth may be guessed from sto
still told of him. He came to a ferry where Il
fare was q doit. He had 10 coin less than a b
die equal to two doits. Most men would ha
given this to the ferryman. Not so did the ca
ny Scotchman Spittal. He took out his hange
cot the bodle in two pieces, gave one for his ia
and put the other back into his pocket. Tur
ing fom this instance of petty pars;mony to
magnificent results is almost taking the backws
step from the ridiculous to the sublime,