The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1871-02-09
A RAMBLING SKETCH.

| "A
| It is perhaps becoming passion Will
Americans to travel abroad. We speal
of the homes of our ancestors, the valley
where the Huguenots lived, and the Al
pine mountains, whose SHOWS rested hv
ingly, yet sadly, on the dying martyrs
of the lowlands of Holland, surrounded
by the restless, threatening sea, emblem
of the danger as well as protection, o
our Puritan fathers, of the rugged hill.
of Scotland. whose northern winds brot
nerve and health. love of Liberty. ant
freedom Of sreach to her stalwart sons
our Scottish Grandfathers.
These places of renouRed interest, are
like Jerusalem. the city of Pilgrims. But
much as we might enjoy pilgrimage
thither, let us rather visit the broker
cliffs and rugged islets of old Scotia. Ir
company with DR.. Carpenter. the great
Physioiogist, and Prof. Agassiz, the in.
spired Naturalist, we started from
Glasgow in the little sreamer Orion, er
route for Lamlash Bay, Arran-an island
20 miles long and s miles wide.
As we passed down the narrow wind.
ing Clyde, we met many noble vessels,
vending their way toward the great
Metropolis. Soon the high crag Of
Dumbarton, crowned with Dumbartor
Castle, came in view. Then Greenock
the birth place of the illustrious James
Watt, Of steam engine notoriety, and at
distance the towering monument erect
ed to his memory. In our thoughts we
ran back to the time, when sitting by the
open fireplace apparently ''toasting his
toes" wholly intent upon the curling
steam as it issued Fl ON tt e iron tea-kettle
swinging on the old fashioned trammel.
and with the magic light of new idea
cleaning from his eyes, he exclaimed: Il
have found 1.-THE ecpansiUe to,ce OF
steam ''- Soon, how changed was the
scene; the waters which few hours
previous were calm and serene, were
now crested with foam.
Evidently We were nearing the Firth
of Arran, but the mists were gathering
thick and fast, and the wind blew with
renewed energy, so that when we came
to our anchorage, we must make the
shore in small boats. The drenching we
received was a sufficient introduction to
our friends in the lovely Glen Ashdale.
TIE surrounding hills were covered with
the rich purple heather, contrasting beau.
tifully with the dark green beneath, and
on the banks Of the little streams, ferns
were growing in great luxuriance.
The next day. not cloud bedimmed
the skies, and the Autumn sun shone
out in all it's glory. a faint curl of sn ok c
marked the town of Burns, Immortal
bard. Before us lay Butte, and in the
back ground Ben Lomond reared his
stately head. Obtaining new, graceful
and feet yacht. we cleared for Brodick
Bay, and soon landed on fine ledge OF
rock. Each betook himself to his own
favorite pursuit-some went in search OF
ferns and MOSES, others wandered among
the craggy rocks for sea-weeds and ma
rine animals. In little pools, clear as
crystal, hidden by such moss, were found
many beautiful, plumose anemones, ex
tending their delicate tentacles, with
every rippling. wave. Here on the bare
rocks, unfrequented by man, except tt
converse with Nature and Natures God
these exuuisitely beautiful and frail crea
lures. liye and perish, reminding us O.
the paet's words:
"Fuli many gem of purest ray,
The dark unftthomed caves of ocean bear"
Besides the anemone, red and brown,
we borrowed dredge, and soon brought
up a variety of star-6shes, goniasters,
hermit crabs. trochuses, and beautiful
shells. Sea-weeds and zoophytes. too
found their way into our impromptr
vascula. Firms and flowers of various
hues we had, already, made into han6
bouquets.
AS the sun was rapidly sinking behind
the western horizon, returned to oul
yacht and hada most delightful row home
| The water as it fell from the oars seemed
like silver rain, and here and there fsf
in its gambols. leaping up from the briny
bay, flashed and sparkled as if set witt
diamonds.
This isle of Arron is one Of the mos
beautiful that Nature can present. Or
the north side are bare and rugged rocks
and precipices. Everything from the
simple to the sublime, is here presented
to the view. Flowers, insects, shells
sea-weed and marine animals abound.
No such collection Of ferns is found IL
the three kingdoms, and the rocks are 8
complete epitome of the Geological for
mations of Britain.
All these unite to make Arran. one o.
the most interesting spots of old Scotia
the home of our sires. Y.
CARO-, February 4th 1871.