The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1866-08-24

the Romans constructed across the
narrow, waist-like part of Scotland.
But two or three miles from Stirling
was the station Bannockburn," and
we were assured that on the fat val
ley4a mile or SO wide, was fought,
under, Bruce, the renowned battle
decisive of the liberties of Scotland.
We Stopped for little while at Stir
ling to see the old Castle, so long the res
idence of the Scottish kings, and the
beautiful prospects which its outlook
affords. ..-l
Thence our way was over the border
ground on which Highlander so often
met Lowlander in bloody combat--the
theme of song and story. SCOTS
Lady Of the Lake |" might have serv-
ed US for a guide book. Steam CON
veyed us an hour beyond Stirling to
Callander Thence, coach ride of
eight miles by Lochs Vennachar and
Achray, and through the famous
Trossachs, brought us to Loeb Katrine,
on which Ellen Douglass had her
home. The sky had, in measure,
cleared, and the ride outside the
coach gave rs the best of many charm
ing views. Through the Trossachs
we pentrated the heart of the High
lands. The scenery became grand.
The bens were rising heavenward all
around us, and the tochs darkened and
grew quiet at their feet. Yet | must
confess to some disappointment with
the scenery of the Trossachs. Scott
might speak of it as
$50 wondrous wild, the whole might seem
The scenery of fairy dream;
but the traveller will find, by simply
riding through it, that to describe it
as a narrow gorge, with precipitous
walls on either side, were far from
accurate. Yet the contrast is great,
when one energies from the rocky pass
upon the quiet little inlet opening on
Katrine.a 3d ~ deGo
We should have been glad to finger
in this region, and fine hotel at the
opening of the Trossachs, three
fourths of mile from Katrine, ten
dered its Inequalities. But the sky
had become dark again, and how did
we know but the ! Lammas foods"
might be preparing? So we resolved
to push on to Loeb Lomond, whence
it would be easy to make our escape
in case Of settled stormy weather, and
where the attractions are most nu-
merous. Embracing on the toy
steamer Rob Roy" we were soon
past 'Ellen's Isle, a point of enchant-
ing beauty, and down the river-like
water, shut in by heathery mountains,
to the Western End. Hence another
coach ride Of five miles, the winds
blowing raw and chill, and the rain
beginning to fall, and we came upon
Loeb Lomond at Inversnaid. The
region between the lakes is unattrac
tive and desolate, button nearing Loeb
Lomond, and descending toward its
margin, the view becomes grand hey
ond anything we have seen. That
Scripture now came to mind with q
force never before felt: Which by
his strength setteth fast the noun
tains, being girded with power
When we discerned the waters of the
lake far below, and found the view of
the mountains beyond them, and of
the mountains this side of them, dis
tinct, yet commingling, we felt that it
needed only the sunlight, glaneing on
the mountain tops. or reflected from
the waves, to complete the sublimity,
| need not tell you of our sorrow
when we found next morning how the
rain had come, nor how, going further
down the lake, to the foot of Ben
Lomond, we waited day to see if the
clouds would not withdraw them
selves; nor how, from our hotel win
d0Ws, we watched the vabor ever rolf-
ing up the mountain tops, but never
reached them; nor how, in an interval
of the rain. we walked a mile on the
way of the ascent of the mountain,
and were angrily driven back by the
descending Yapor. We gave it up at
last. Securing specimens of heath
and heather and = ,bracken, and
mountain flowers of various sorts, we
said good bye y to Ben Lofnond,n
without being able even thereby to-
pr evoke him to lift his cap, and pushed
on to Glasgow. IL
Only word can | give to our -
VISIT. TO AYR.
1t required only slight DETECTION
from our direct route to the lake re-
gion of England to reach Ayr, and
we resolved to visit the old home of.
Burns. The guidenbooks dilate on
the beautiful scenery about Ayr but,
in plainest phrase, " we could not see
it. 7 The region is fat-Lalf marshy,
half sandy.szA Ayr is a seaport and
Burns was born within sight of sea
water! Why did mot the sea more
impress his Imagination? We walked
by eWallace's Tower" stood on the
/" Aud Brigg, and thence saw the /
/" New" the two seeming now to
live on the best of terms. Burns j
Cottage. sAlloway Kirk and the Mon
ument are in a cluster little over
two miles from Ayr. All the interest
of the old Kirk is created for it by
Tam OShanter;" and the visitors,
of whom thoro o~o o~oru1, Mas, ~, a