MEMORABILIA OF PERTH. SECT. I. A GUIDE THROUGH THE CITY AND NEIGH- THE duties of the office which we have undertaken, The cannot be fulfilled within the limits of Perth. environs boast of places distinguished in history, and scenery marked by uncommon beauty. To these we must direct the attention of our visitors; and will, for that purpose, pay our introductory respects on the Edinburgh road, at that point where, having crossed and just begun the descent of the Ochil hills, we command a prospect of Strathearn. The principal feature in the grand and extensive view we overlook from this station, is the Earn. This river flows from a lake about thirty miles to the westward, through the broad and delightful valley which bears its name. On emerging from the loch, it gurgles on an inconsiderable rivulet, giving an indispensable charm to scenes beyond description picturesque; but soon acquiring more consequence, it becomes a river at Crieff; and obtains such 'magnitude below us, that vessels of small burden unlade their cargoes at the bridge. Pursuing a path winding as the Forth, it communicates fertility and beauty throughout the vale, of which the numerous elegant mansions, and comfortable farm-houses, announce the flourishing condition. On the right, is seen its conflux with the Tay, which, expanding here, spreads a broad frith to the ocean. The Carse of Gowrie forms the northern bank of the united rivers, and stretches within reach of the eye to Dundce. Descending the hill, we descry Abernethy at some distance on the right. This dirty and inconsiderable village was once the capital of the Pictish kingdom; and in more modern times, was an archiepiscopal residence. Alas! how fallen! The only remaining vestige of antiquity is a circular tower, in which the bell of the parish-church is suspended *. Approaching strown. * How dissimilar are the objects which attract the attention of different men! Some tourists fly from one commercial town to another, or from water-fall to water fall, totally unmindful of those vestiges of antiquity with which their path is frequently On the other hand, the author of a folio Itinerarium now before us, made but one hasty call at Luncarty, between Brechin and Abernethy; for although he must necessarily have paused to recruit nature at several large towns on the way, yet they were all too contemptibly modern to merit one passing regard! Approaching the bridge of Earn, the mineral wells of Pitkeathly are about a mile to the left. As the waters are held in great esteem, the place is of course much resorted to in the summer season *. In fact, so numerous have the invalids and loungers been of late, that it sometimes has been difficult to procure lodgings. If the proprietor were to build a handsome village, with a ball-room, and the other appendages of a watering-place, we are persuaded the undertaking would prove of equal emolument to himself, and advantage to the surrounding country. After *The Rev. Mr Beatson gives the following account of these waters in his Statistical Account of the parish of Dumbarny : "The mineral waters of Pitkeathly, which have long been famed for their efficacy in curing or alleviating the scrophula, scurvy, gravel, &c. are situated in this parish. This mineral is gentle in its operation, has an agreeable effect in relieving the stomach of crudities, procuring an appetite, and exhilarating the spirits; and, instead of weakening, tends to strengthen the constitution. The water is of a cooling quality, and very efficacious in removing all heat and foulness of the blood. It is used both for drinking and bathing, In some cases, the warm bath has the most salutary effect, especially in scrophulous and scorbutic complaints; but should be used with caution, as it tends to weaken, if made too warm, or used too frequently. The time when this mineral was discovered cannot be ascertained; even tradition says nothing of the first discovery. There are five distinct springs, all of the same quality, but of different degrees of strength. In 1771, some experiments were made on one of the mineral springs by Dr Donald Monro of London, which, in 1772, together with a letter from the late Dr Wood of Perth, on the same subject, were published in the 62d vol. of the Philof. Tranf. This year, (1792,) Mess. Stoddart and Mitchell, druggists in Perth, have, with much attention and accuracy, After crossing the Earn, the road turns somewhat to the westward under the base of the hill of Moncrieff, or Moredun, the summit of which commands a prospect so extensive, varied, and delightful, that some have not hesitated to style it "the glory of Scotland." Although we must confess, those who have culogized this view so highly were natives of Perth, yet let not the incredulous stranger decline the walk. In addition to the delight we dare promise him in icoking round from the site of Carnac, hẹ will, if a botanist, analised the several springs. The following table is the result of their experiments: A TABLE, shewing the contents in a wine gallon of each of the mineral waters of the estates of Pitkeathly and Dumbarny. *"On the highest top of this bill, we have one of the finest prospects in Perthshire, perhaps in Scotland. Towards the cast, the |