the steep declivity, to the black and woodcovered abyss below, with the sparkling rapidity of lightning and the awful peal of thunder. The bridge seems to shake and crash under the feet of the spectator, who doubts whether any sovereign prince in the world can boast a place of residence so superb as that of the Lord of the Ballach. Leaving this scene, with many a lingering look from the side of the bridge, the traveller again plunges into the gloom of the wood, from which he at length emerges, in descending upon the village of Kenmore, at the east end of Loch Tay, stretching far to the west, between its walls of immense mountains, of which the summits were on this occasion entirely covered by thick flying clouds of grey mist. Whoever sees and can feel the beauty and grandeur of the scene, will not think the following description of it, by Burns, one of the happiest efforts of that celebrated poet? "Th' outstretching lake, embosomed 'mong the hills, “The lawns wood-fringed in nature's native taste ; Near the entrance into the Ballach, on the left of the road, may be seen one of those circles of stones set on end, about which so much controversy has prevailed; one party contending that they were Druidical places of worship, the other that they were of Gothic origin, and used as places for holding courts of justice, that ropes were fastened round these stones to keep off the crowd, and that from this practice arose the term of fencing the courts. It may be observed, without entering into the controversy, that it is not impossible but both parties may be in the right, and that these places may have, in different eras, or even in the same age, been used for the double purpose of worship and the administration of justice. They are rudely convenient for both objects; and that the ancient Scottish worship was performed at or upon a collection of stones, whether in circles or cairns, or in whatever manner disposed, receives strong confirmation from the single circumstance that stones is, in the language of the old highlanders, a common designation at this day for the church or place of worship. Near this circle of stones was observed a specimen of the difficulties which had been overcome in converting the open spaces in the declivity into rich pastures. In one of these open spaces the ground was but partly cleared, and a small portion of it remained entirely in the state of nature. In that portion, the surface consisted solely of a heap or layer of stones and rocks, with hardly any appearance of soil or vegetation. An iron plough was observed fixed in that part, which had been in some degree cleared. The operation could never have been undertaken upon any calculation of the value of the returns from this particular spot, as compared with the expense. But, speaking generally of such undertakings, there is no economical operation by which the expenditure of capital is so certainly and permanently applied, for the benefit of a country, as in the amelioration of its soil, and the increase of its productive powers. The advantage is beyond the reach of those casualties, to which many other improvements are exposed; and this certainty and permanency may, in a national view, be more than ample compensation for the loss of greater immediate prospective profits, depending upon a less sure and durable foundation. Add to this, that the expenditure of proprietors in the improvement of land is often that, which would otherwise be wasted in the support of idle retainers, or in some other way, totally unconnected with the best interests of themselves, their posterity, or the public. The thick wood, disposed along the sides of the road, affords a grateful shade against the summer sun, and produces a gloom not unsuitable to the solemn magnificence of the situation. But in winter and wet seasons, this close and thick wood cannot fail to be injurious to the road, by the exclusion of the heat and air, necessary to dry it after heavy falls of rain. The more convenient arrangement unquestionably would be to thin the wood, so as to admit the wind and the sun's rays to the road, leaving sufficient for the purposes of shade. It may be considered a more formidable objection, in a situation of this description, that there is only one opening in the wood, through which the superb scenery of the Ballach can be viewed from the public road, and that even this opening does not include the whole within its range. It may have been thought that the prospect would by this means be more striking and impressive when it came; and this was a consideration which ought to have had its due weight. But many may think that the better arrangement would have been to have separately exhibited, through various openings, some of the most remarkable features of the scene, and from one commanding point, if such could have been obtained, to have given a view of the entire vale of the Ballach. The eye would thus be delighted with a succession of different splendid pictures, of which the scene at the bridge ought unquestionably to have been one, even although it had not been opened by nature. The matter is connected with more important considerations than the gratification of mere idle curiosity, or the feelings and good pleasure of the proprietor. Scenery of extraordinary magnificence forms one of the great features of a country; and, like those local situations which are associated with the memory of events of national importance, possesses somewhat of a public character. In these, every one, as a part of the community, feels himself interested, and, as far as the bare facility of inspection is concerned, has an interest, of the enjoyment of which he cannot in justice, using the word in the largest sense, be deprived, although such places should be the property of a few individuals. It would be, besides, most impolitic, with reference both to the private proprietor and the public, to discourage that opinion of common interest in such. situations, which binds, by so many agreeable ties, every individual to the soil of his |