New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1873-12-25

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Norway and Denmark, and were accorGiin 4 ,
/ ceded to the Scottish corwu
The ruins of the Bishops palace. n,lv IL,
Cathedral, indicated that il mus; have been
an imposing structure the date OF it. cree
ton l. unknown. As early rs the 18Th cen.
ury It was celebrated as place OF nu,!
/ Importance. ON our way over heather and
moor to the home OF my Scottish ancestry
we passed the celebrated Standing stones ui
Stehnis, and also the Maeshowe Mound
both OF very remote antiquity, and arrived
at Stromncss-a town beautiful for situation
and commanding magnificent scenery OF land
and ocean.
t. our surprise, we were introduced To an
old lady with vision undmmed, intellect
and memory uninpaired, uncomfortable viz.
orous and active, who distinctly remembers
my father and attended school with him. and
vet he left that seaport town in the year 1892.
for this country and although an experienced
navigator, and in command of ships to many
ports, never returned to his native town.
Mrs Flett accompanied Us in our psTambu-
latiOnS OF the t, wn, and readily designated
the houses owned and occupied by my grand
and great grand parents, and gave full and
complete history of the family.
While at the Museum We We're politely
accosted by an aged gentlemen Of the olien
school, who impaired much information hui
informed us that he was 4 clerk to my gteat
grandfather Sandison, and arranged in ISL
for the passage of my grandmother, aftr. thc
death of her husband, to America, the hGme
other only surviving child, At Portsmouth, in
the State of New Hampshire. Atthe manse
Of Sanwich, eight miles distant from Stromnass
we We're entertained with liberal hospitality
by the Rev. DR. CloustOn, the venerable
and laar a1 ,ivNil ~ !, L.,
proved to be a relative by blood aud nlarr-
age. We here saw SUSPENDED from the wall
frame of considerable size, containing the
handiwOrk OF my grandmother, executed
more than one hundred years ago. After
most agreeable stay ola few days in Ork-
ney, we sailed from StromneSs by the way of
Pentland Firth, passing the Old Man Of Hoy
and remarkably ragged rocky coast and
over turbulent waters to ThursO on thc
main land; thence by carriage fifty miles to
liemlsdale, enjoying the beautiful coast
scenery and the fine estate of the Duke of
Sutherland, on the way gathering the blue
bells of Scotland and the heather flower, and
frequently starting numerous hares, rabbits
and other game, and passing Shepherds AMI
their dogs in charge of large fiocks sheep.
From IIelmsdale by rail it Inverness, in
full view of the beautiful hill of Tuloch so
called, near the castle bearing the same
name, one mile distant from Dingwall owned
and occupied by Davidson, who invariably
dresses in the snowy tartan Of the clan
Inverness is well and nvorably known to
several persons here present, who Justly re-
gard it as one Of the most lovely places in
the United Kingdom.
1t is the capital Of the Highlands, ana
highly interesting. The "Stone of the Tubs"
and other attractions | have not time to de-
linz n ,,t
mention one circumstance us illustrative OF
the nhexiblc adherence to principles of its
inhabitants. We arrived carly,.one Sabbath
morning, but no carriages or portcrs awaited
the arrival of the train. All the passengers
wendell their way to the hotels and we renicm-
Der that one of them accosted the proprietor Of
the house with the remark, "Did not telc
graph | was coming on this, the mOrning
train:" but he quietly replied BOOTS does
not go to the station, Sundays" We were
pleased also to notice that most Of the pco-
pie had bibles in hand on the way to and
from church, and many old as well as
younger gentlemen, and also boys, were clad
in full highland costume. The trip from In
veness by the way Of the Caledonian canal
is most charming, stopping at the Falls OF
Foyer, and having a fine view Of Ben-Ncvis,
the highest mountain in Scotland, and other
equally grand and imposing scenery-impress-
ing the traveller, as witnessing views q sur
passing loneliness and grandeur. We stopped
at Oban, that famous summer resort, I'M
riralleH for situation and celebrated for its
pleasant surrOunding5-itS water and land
privileges, and home comforts. 1t is a charm
ing place, with scenery most enchanting.
Elegant steamers conveyed us to the an
cicnt island of Iona, rich in historic interest,
with its ruins of Cathedral and convent; its
old tOmbs of the chieitains, and antique
grave stones. Here Christianity was first
planted in these Northern Isles, as early as
the year 5G3, and its recognized emblem,
beautiful in design. erected. Not many of
the stone crosses from which the Iona cross
derived its name. remain, but the few now
standing are carefully preserved. We also
visited the island of Statfa, and viewed the
wonderful Fingall's Cave, which far exceeded
our expectations.
The large island of Null and other islands
equally attractive were passed. The pass
age also from Oban, via the Crinan canal
the Kyles of Bate-the river Of Clyde to
Greenoch, and Port-Glasgow, (where the
immense business Of building iron steamers
is most successfully prosccutcd) to the larg-
est city of Scotland-Glasgow- very in
teresting.
Leaving Glasgow. with its elegant resi-
dences, imposing public buildings, its ancient
Cathedral, (Which, with the one at Kirkwall,
are the only Cathedrals the government keep
in repair,) its beautiful Metropolis, its noted
University, its well executed monuments; its
extensive manufactures, ship-yard. and
shipping interests; We journeyed by the way
of Balloch, Loeb Lomond, Loeb Katrne,
lnversnaid and the TroSaches, by rail, car
rages and steamers to Calender; thence by
steam cars to Sterling and Edinburgh, visit
ing of course, Merose, Abbotsford aud Dry
burgh, the home and burial place Of Scott.
Time would fail me to speak of all the
old Castles, Cathedrals, and the many places
by prose and song. OF the
monuments of Wallace, Scott, Burns and
other men of renown-of the glorious views
of Lochs, Mountains, Hills, Islands and
the unsurpassed attractions Of the
Highlands and Lowlands and
streams, or to give an insight into the pecui-
arities of Scottish characterize mention the .
thrift and frugality OF the people,
their liberal hospitality, their indomitable
will and perseverance, their firm and con-
scientious adherence to principles; the brave,
generous and manly qualities Of head and
heart.
The annals of Scotland are illustrious and
replete with thrilling interest. On her hi.-
toric scroll are inscribed the names OF eull-
nent sons, distinguished i. all pro6 ssion-;
who have made endurin. impress On the
ages, and their memories are treasured In the
grateful recollectiOns OF admiring country