The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1884-07-05

road lies through a desolate region, tn
heather on the mountain sides being th'
principal vegetation. We pass the ruins O
q hut in which Helen McGregor, Rob Roy't
wife, was born, and also an old fort which
was built to check the plundering of tht
McGregors, early in the last century, ane
after ride of about five miles we reacl
Loch Katrine at Stronachlacher. Here We
again take steamer and the sail down the
lake is delightful one. Loch Katrine il
frequently compared to Lake George ano
certainly its lovely scenery and its romantic
associations give it a wondrous charm. On
our left, as We leave Stronechlacher, Glen
Gyle. once a stronghold and even now the
burial place of the McGregors, stretches
back into the mountains. At the eastern
end of. the lake we pass Ellen's Isle and
the Silver Strand, and land only short
distance from the " Goblin's Cave" where
the Douglas and his daughter took refuge
when they left Rodrick Dhu's island. Here
we again take coaches and ride on through
a narrow, rocky defile known as the
''Trossachs" or .s Bristling country" pass
ing The lovely margin of Achray," and on
to "Where Vennachar in silver flows" A
little farther on,
| "Duncraggan's huts appe ar at last,
And peep like moss grown rocks. half seen.
| Half hidden IN the eopse so green.
| Still later we reach sCoilantogle Ford,''
Far past Clan Alphine's outmost guard
the scenes of the fight between Roderick
Dhu and .Fitz James, and ride of two Or
three miles beyond brings rs to Callander,
where we take train for Stirling.
| The historian cannot find time when
there was not fortress on the site of the
present castle at Stirling. The city itself
is built ON an eminence and on precipi-
tous rock rising still higher, the castle was
erected. From its towers twelve great
battle fields can be seen, including Ban
nockburn, about two miles away. On the
west is the vale of Menteith, with Ben Lo-
mond, Ben Venue, Ben1edi and other peaks
| in the distance. To the north and east,
the winding of the Forth, bordered by
fertile fields and thriving hamlets, makes
| pleasing picture. Just below the castle is
the old tilting ground where tournaments
were held, the formation of tho lists being
still preserved. The seastle is composed of
many buildings, representing many differ
ent styles of architecture and erected at diff
ferent times; a portion of some of the
foundations having been built by the Ro-
mans. Scott, in the "Lady of the Lake"
mentions the castle as
''Ye towers within whose circuit dread
Douglas by has sovereign bled."
And the Douglas Room - is still shown
to visitors, where James II stabbed the
Earl Of Douglas and threw his body from
the window into the moat below. This
room has been made sort of museum and
many curiosities are here shown, including
a pulpit and communion table used by
John Knox, some chairs used by James II
and James VI and also collection of battle
axes, lances, pixies, etc. For many centuries
the history of Stirling Castle was practical
ly the history of Scotland. It has been oc-
cupied by Wallace, Bruce, Baliol, David II,
James H. III, ", V, VI. Mary Queen of
Scots was crowned here and here her son,
James vi, was secretly brought from Edin-
burgh when only six days old and baptized.
It stands, q grand monument to many
dark deeds of past ages. 1t is at present
used as barracks for few companies of
Her Majesty's troops.
Some one has spoke of Edinburgh as "the
most picturesque town in all the North"
and its claims to that distinction are very
strong. High street, the centre of the
"Old Town." runs along the ridge of hill
eastward from the castle. just north of
this ridge is deep valley with another
hill beyond, along which run Princes street
and George street, the business centre of
the New Town" The railroad depots are
in the valley and much of the unoccupied
land on both sides has been laid out in
pleasure grounds known as Princes Street
Gardens. The buildings of the city are
mostly of stone and very substantial, those
in the cold Town" having curious gables
and roofs which give them a most unique
appearance. Many of them are from eight
to twelve stories high with narrow outside
stairs, dangerous apparently to life and
limb. But it is as the +" Modern Athens
that Edinburgh people prefer to have their
city regarded; and here too they have strong
claims, referring with pride to such naems
as Dugald Stewart, Hume, Playfair and
many others we'll known in the world of
science and literature. To tourist the
Castle and Holyrood Palace are probably
the principal points of interest, and maio-
rity doubtless visit the castle first, not only
on account of its associations, but also for
the fine view of the city which can be there
obtained. Like Stirling, the Castle Rock
of Edinburgh has been crowned with
fortress for many years, but the greater
part of the present buildings are only about
800 years old. .'St. Margaret" Chapel,
however, q specimen of pure Norman
dates back to the eleventh
century, having been built by David l. On
the south, west and north the Castle Rock
is accessible and this fact doubtless gave it
much of its importance as stronghold,
before the invention of cannon. It is still
kept, in fortified state and several bat
teries frown on the city below. Most of the
buildings of which the castle is composed
are of but little interest to the traveller. We
are shown the rooms occupied by Mary and
the small apartment, scarce ten feet long,