scene in that direction. The whole extent of these wide corries and lofty ranges, except the greatest part of Birnam, is filled with wood from the summits of the hills to the depth of the plain, so as nearly to hide the fields and buildings of various descriptions which are scattered around. The rocks of Craigbarns in the north-eastern range are seen shooting up in fantastic spires from its top, and jutting out in rugged masses from its side, among the forest of pines spread thick over the ridge and steepest declivities, and overhanging the woody hillocks, interspersed with green fields immediately below. On the lowest level appear, in the midst of deep groves of tall oaks and other timber trees, the ducal mansion with its verdant lawn, gardens, and offices, the town of Dunkeld, with the ruins of the ancient cathedral and its still entire and elegant tower, divided from the villages of little Dunkeld and Inver, and rich pasture and corn-fields, under the wood-covered steeps of the opposite range, by the strong and majestic sweep of the broad river, rolling its vast weight of waters under the wide and lofty arches of the noble bridge, the finest, perhaps, in Scotland. In immense scale and wild grandeur the scene at the Balloch exceeds; but for the union of grandeur

with various and picturesque beauty, Dunkeld might have the preference, if the Birnam mountain had been covered with wood, and the ducal mansion-house had better corresponded with the surrounding objects. The present bare and bleak appearance of Birnam, which seems to have derived its name and distinctive character from its former woody covering, is a palpable defect in the general view, and the ducal grounds in this quarter will never be complete, until the wood shall have been restored, and the gravel walks extended in both ranges, from Craigbarns to the hill of Newtyle, and from Craigbinnen to the summit of Birnam. If the hill and level of the Fernyhaugh, to the north of the King's seat and Craigbarns, were also planted with oak corresponding to the oak plantations among the opposite rocks, the scene would be considerably improved. Some points, in the walks among the woods and precipices of Craigbarns and Craigbinnen, command a fine and distinct view of the several objects in the recess of Dunkeld, of the hills of the north and west, and of the Stormont on the east ; and a better view of the ; plains, and perhaps of the northern hills, might be had from the mass of Newtyle. But the top of the Birnam mountain presents one of the

most extensive and finest prospects in the world. On one side the eye rests upon nearly the whole extent of the valley of Strathmore, from Stirling to Stonehaven, the plain of Perth Proper, the Carse of Gowrie, including a great portion of the richest champaign tract in Scotland. The spectator turns round, and the scene, instantly changed, as it were by magic, presents an innumerable series of wild mountains rising behind mountains until they are lost in the clouds of the distant horizon. Below are observed the romantic corries of Dunkeld, with all their woods, rocks, and green fields, the town, villages, bridge, and also the course of the Tay, from a considerable distance to the north, through the hollow of Dunkeld, under the thick forest of oaks, in the steep face of the opposite declivity, under the brow of the rock of Newtyle, and along the plain of Perth, to the Firth of Tay. Birnam, it is believed, belongs in whole or in part to the Grantully family, whose mansion-house of Murthy is seen below on the bank of the river, nearly opposite the Newtyle hill: otherwise, supposing it had belonged to the family of Athol, it would probably have been long ago covered with wood, and included in the Duke of Athol's grounds. In the view from Birnam, the hill of

Dunsinane appears rising from the Sidla ridge, an object which, more particularly as seen from that point, the genius of Shakspeare has impressed with deep and lasting interest.

The hills about Dunkeld, and the hazels with which they are supposed to have been formerly covered, have been supposed to have given name to the town, and the Caledonian branch of the Pictish nation. Whether that notion be correct, or another supposition is to be preferred, that the name of the town means the hill of the mountain Gaels, in either case this seems to have been in very remote times a place of considerable consequence, probably the capital of the Caledonian dominions. About the first dawn of Christianity among these mountains, it was erected into a monastery, which, in 1130, was converted into a bishopric, and the lands on the south-west bank of the river, from Dunkeld to Logierait, are still called the bishopric, from having formerly belonged to the see. The choir of the cathedral, built in 1350, and now used as a parish church, the charter-house, built in 1469, and the tower, still remain entire. An offer by Charles the Second to erect the town into a royal burgh was declined, and the present consequence of the town depends chiefly on its vicinity to the ducal residence,

the beauty and grandeur of the surrounding scenery, and its situation on one of the great roads leading into and out of the highlands. The manufacturing of linen, and the commerce both in the raw material and manufactured article, are carried on to a considerable extent. The banking trade of the place has of late greatly increased, probably owing to the improvements introduced in the neighbouring highlands, and the more active and extensive commerce in cattle, sheep, wool, hides, and other commodities. Six annual fairs are held there, one of which, held at Martinmas, is a great cattle fair. Some remains of a bridge over the Tay, built by the celebrated bishop Gavin Douglas, about the year 1516, are still visible on the northwest of the town. The present noble structure was lately built by the existing Duke of Athol, in a great measure, it is said, at his own expense, upon the security of the toll, which cannot be expected to compensate the loss of the ferries, and to pay the interest of the money expended. The want of a bridge in this situation had been long felt as a most serious inconvenience and obstruction to the communication between the highlands and lowlands of this great thoroughfare; and its erection is a work of vast public utility, besides adding in a very