mand a fine view of Perth, its bridge, the country beyond, through which the Tay is feen full, clear, smooth, and ample, fweeping its tide along the pass into the highlands at Dunkeld, and the mountains of Athol, among which Bengloe appears pre-eminent, and clofes the extreme distance. This profpect is finely connected, and forms a charming fubject for composition on canvas. The town, bridge, river, and extent of its banks, and the grand appearance of the Grampians in the diftance, form a whole that is pleafing to the eye as a picture; at the fame time, it ftrikes the mind with objects which awaken reflection, and excite emotions correfpondent to the fublime and beautiful in nature. Paffing directly under the frowning precipices of Kinnoul, we lose fight of Perth, and a new fcene opens on us, which, though of a different character, is not less interesting than that just described. The fertile plains of Gowrie, through which the Tay spreads wider and wider, till, expanding into a grand eftuary, it mingles its tributary waters with the ocean, are seen extending on either hand. This diftrict may, with strict propriety, be denominated "The Lowlands of Scotland," as, by way of eminence, it is called "The granary of the north." No traveller, in paffing through this extenfive and beautiful tract of country, will feel inclined to question the juftness of this appellation. The level line and ample fweeps of the road; the fnug cottages, clay-built and thatch-roofed farm-houses, gentlemen's feats, villages, ruins of castles, and convents; corn-fields, plantations, and inclosures; muft remind the continental tourifts of the banks of the Lower Rhine. As the traveller proceeds, one or two views worthy of attention will attract notice. About two miles below Ferth, the ruins 15 ruins of Elcho caftle come in view, and appear to much advantage when feen, as forming a leading feature in the prospect which here prefents. On the left, nearly oppofite to these ruins, a hill of a conical form rises gracefully from the water's edge, and is in fine contrast with the low-lying grounds on the river's banks, a noble sweep of which encircles a small island that occupies the middle ground; and on the right bank, on a beautiful level lawn, finely wooded, and fwelling into an elevated plat, the ancient remains of Elcho caftle are feen. The termination of the Ochil hills forms a bold feature in the distance; and when foftened in aerial tints, that abruptnefs, otherwise harsh and inelegant, produces in the general effect a degree of elevation and harmony that adds charms to the scene. Somewhat more than a mile farther down the river on our turning round and taking a retrospective view, a prospect, the principal features of which appeared in the former, but in a reverfed order, presents a specimen of picturesque beauty rarely to be seen. The middle ground confifts of an ample sheet of the Tay, clear, full, and refluent. On the left the ruins of Elcho castle form an interefting repofe. The finely flowing lines that play on the eye, and which compofe the fwelling flopes behind the ruins on the left, are in happy contrast with the heights of Kinnoul and Kinfauns on the right. The fmall island* in the eye on the brink of the centre, and a fisher's hut nearer the water, produce a pleafing diversity, and harmonize fweetly with the bays and promontories, wooded and level, protruding and retiring in alternate variety, as far as the river is visible, which is feen, as it were, iffuing from the hills, and sweeping * Sleepless Island, in which the town of Perth has a fishing station. along |