The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1871-12-09
Various Wandexings.
ArHELsToNEFoRD, SCOTLAND
September 26, 1871.

ATHELSTONEFoRD,S SCOTLAND
September 26, 1871.
DEAR W.: In the last "lcaves
FROM my journal / left you some
what abruptly upon my descent
from Ben Lomond, for which dis
courtsey I now apologize. and
continue our tour.
After q night of refreshing slum-
beT, on my part undisturbed by 3
single dream; we made an carly
breakfast and prepared to meet
the frat boat from Balloch, but, as
is expected OF all guests, before
departure, we had to make our en-
try in the book Of records. which
here is an institution peculiar 10
the place, and unlike anything
have seen elsewhere.
It is the concentrated essence Of
oil the wit, humor, jollity, and bur-
lesque that have visited these parts
in a number of years, and If one
should feel inclined for a laugh, it
Is only Necessary to turn these
pages and there will be plenty Of
provocation. In one place. some
fine-toned spirit; Impressed with
the majesty of the royal Ben, has
burst forth in an impressive lay OF
melody while on the opposite page
seme fertile fancy with nimble fn-
gers has portrayed the difficulties
Of the ascent and descent in the
most ludicrous figures. And thus
the pages are Illustrated with every
variety of thought. Our pliable
natures, ready 10 take any infection,
caught this most decidedly, and S.
entered himself with flourish
most bravely--and. furthermore,
cheated me into making record
which, for fun and jollisy' ] would
not dare mention to ears precise.
This little hotel of Rowardenen is
SO charmiDgly situated upon tho
b.nks Of the lake, so surrounded
with '.mountain woodland, and
stream" has such q beautiful little
f1wer-garden, radiant with flowers,
is altogether SO attractive, would
fain have fingered longer within
its shades, but, like little Joe,I was
obliged TO move on
We reached the i.ier q little too
early for the boat and rested upon
a green hank covered with tue 'pur-
pie blooming heather and the
beautiful brackens. or ferns as we
cal tlem, which grow SO luxuri-
aptlT in this moist climate. And
from this point We watched the
approach OF the little fairy steamer
- il skimmed the waters like sea-
bird, and here occurred one of these
condolences which throw such
light and brig ghtness into tue chad
owy places Of lite, and which far
exceed the most elaborately-pre-
pared and carefully-drcssed dish
OF happiness-an unexpected plea
sure On the boat we found a
parry Of cid familiar facee,' peo-
pie who had made the passage OF
the beautiful Caledonian canal with
US, and whom we had not seen
eince We left Oban, and though the
old familiar faces will not apply
literally. they will in great part,
for il is astonishing how rapidly
friendships grow and ,ipen when
two or three days are passed to-
gether in mutual pursuits and plea
sures, and this waea party which
for wit and h-mor would be an
acqniaition at any time. Oae ol
thess was o wag whose merry blue
eye, bright, open countenance, and
goodly proportions. somewhat
aldermanic, were . perpetual pass
port. Oppsite Ben Lomond, on
the other eide OF the lake, is q
lofty mountain called the Cobbler
from q peculiarly-shapei rock on
It's top, said to look like a cobblel
bending over his work. could
not trace the resemblance myself
but this was possibly owing to my
very limited acquaintance with tha
class Of genus homo. OR wag
however, assured US that he moi
only looked like q cobbler, but wai
one, and pointed to . great roll o
leather on deck, which he affirm ed
Was for the use of said cobbler, ,and
this assertion was the more anu
sing as at that moment the boa
drew up to the pier at the foot 0
this mountain and tlc roll o
leather Was put ashore
We did not go qaite 10 the tcI
Of Loch Lomond, bat stopped u
lnversnaid, where coaches were i,
waiting to convey t-urists acros
the country to Loeb Ks,rine. A
this place is beautiful sterfal
flowing down from the mountain
through very narrow gorge, bu
OF very considerable height. an,
as from the lske its whole lengtl
WAS above us, it presented q beau
tisul appearance. Here our part!
filled one VI these coaches, and on
bearing 10 less name than :ha
Of Roderlck Dhu himself. This
with the fact that we were in hi
native wilds, gave . wonderful
personality to that rcdoubtabl
knight. The country ihroug
which we drove was Wild and rug
getl, but made radiant By the gold
en- sunlight, and as wc went "
made the welkin ling with SON.
and jest and laughter. The driver
are supposed to act as guides owe
the route they go. and ours point
ed out many objects Of interest