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higher this season (1818), than it was ever known to have been at any former period, and the sale of that article alone generally produced sufficient to satisfy the rents of the pastures. This was ascribed to the destruction of a considerable portion of the flocks by the severity of the preceding winter, combined with some sudden large orders from abroad for coarse articles of woollen manufacture; and this latter reason may account for the circumstance which was remarked, that the price of the comparatively coarse wool of the black-faced breed, and the other breeds most commonly pastured in the highlands, bore a higher proportion than usual to the price of the fine wool of southern flocks. The country in this vicinity is from its nature adapted, and is for the most part devoted, to sheep farming; and the black-faced breed prevails to a very considerable extent. A few years before this period, at the same time of the year, several large flocks of these sheep were seen on their way from Locheil across the moor towards the south. The faces and legs were all jet black, indicating the pure Linton breed. They were driven at a rate three times as rapid as that which is usually applied in the case of other breeds; and, if this were continued, full confidence must have been placed in the su

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perior power and hardiness of the animal. These flocks were said to have come from Kenloch, Moidart, and the rough country.

Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in Britain, with its base almost washed by the firth of Lochaber, has its summit elevated 4370 feet above the level of the sea, which however is little more than one fourth of the height of Montblanc, in Switzerland. The immense mass of the Nevis Mountain is composed of elegant red granite, in which the pale rose, the bluish and yellowish colours, are finely mixed and shaded.* From the streaks of red dust before mentioned, it seems that the mountains of Glenco, the black mountain, Bendoe, Bendouran, and other mountains in Glenurchy, and Benmore in Glendochart, consist of the same kind of stone, which is said to extend also from Ben Nevis, in a north-easterly direction, to Portsoy and Trouphead. The hollow of Glen Nevis, and the lower portion of the mountain on that, being the south or south-west side, are usually covered in summer with the richest natural grass, which is generally saved for winter consumption. The green pasture extends upwards, gradually thinning, to the middle of the mountain, and is

* Williams, Mineral Kingdom.

then succeeded by some mossés, intermixed with stones for a short way, after which nothing appears above but an immense heap of loose stones; and, in a few hollows near the summit, patches of snow, which usually continue all the year round. In one of these hollows facing the north, a little below the highest point, snow always remains for the whole year. According to Mr. Kirwan's tables, the boundary of perpetual congelation is in latitude 55°, at 4912 feet above the level of the sea; and Ben-Nevis being in latitude 57°, and 4370 feet above the level of the sea, the summit ought by this estimate to be nearly about the sphere of perpetual congelation. But snow often remains for the whole year in the cold hollows of many inferior highland mountains to the south of Ben Nevis.

There are two points of ascent at Inverlochy, one from the old Castle, or Lochy ferry, about two miles north-east of the town; another, which, although more steep and difficult, is sometimes chosen because the shortest, from the foot of Glen Nevis. A stranger in ascending from the latter point will be at first amazed at seeing stones of different sizes bounding down the steep side of the mountain, with the velocity almost of shot, and his surprise continues, till, after long and laborious climbing, he ap

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proaches near the line where vegetation ceases, and observes the first movement of these stones, loosened by the feet of the sheep, and the increasing rapidity of their subsequent descent. This inconvenience is avoided in ascending from the former point, as the climber, advancing gradually along the height of an inferior mount, reaches the principal mass above the region of vegetation. The ascent can hardly be completed in less than four or five hours, and the descent will require nearly as much time. The temptation, resulting from the exhaustion produced by the fatigue of the ascent, to recruit by drinking wine or ardent spirits, ought to be entirely resisted, or yielded to with great caution; otherwise from the natural unsteadiness of the footing, and steepness of the stony declivity, the descent will be a work of considerable danger as well as difficulty.

The spectator on the top of Ben Nevis looks. down from the highest pinnacle, in the midst of a wide plain thickly studded all around with minor mountains of various sizes, shapes, and colours, their bases almost touching each other, and the narrow spaces between gradually opening, as the tapering masses contract towards their summits; the scene in some respects resembling (parva componere magnis) the view

from the most elevated point in the middle of a field covered with the tents of a crowded encampment. The prospect is grand and terrible, and a strong feeling of interest and elevation is experienced in the consciousness of this unusual and superior effect of the power of the eye, taking in at once such a vast extent of horizon above, and such an infinite multitude of the most impressive objects below; and in the contemplation of that Infinite Power which spread out the sky as a molten looking glass, and laid the foundations of that world of stupendous mountains. The view includes the most elevated points between the eastern and western oceans, for a long space south and north; the paps of Jura, and the hills of Cullen in Sky; Mealfuarmhony, rising 3060 feet above the level of the sea, by the side of Lochness, from the north-western wall of the great glen; Ben Lawers in Perthshire; Ben Lomond, distinguished by its green colour; and many other remarkable mountains, of which the highest points are seen far below the line of elevation on which the spectator stands. But the wild magnificence of the scene is deficient in variety and contrast. Owing to the immense bulk and wide compass of the Nevis mountain, a person on its top perceives hardly any of the objects in its imme

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