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celebrated in Scottish song.

Through the village of Pitcairn Green, we arrive at another delightful bridge,

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The following communication Mr Cant acknowledges himself to have been indebted for to Major Barry, the then proprie"The common tor of the estate on which this classic spot tradition of Bessy Bell and Mary Gray is, that the father of the former was laird of Kinvaid, in the neighbourhood of Lednoch, ladies and the latter laird of Lednoch; that these two young were both very handsome, and that a most intimate friendship subsisted between them. That while Miss Bell was on a visit to Miss Gray, the plague broke out in the year 1666; in order to avoid which they built to themselves a bower, about three quar ters of a mile west from Lednoch house, in a very retired and romantic place, called Burn Braes, on the side of Brauchie Burn. Here they lived for some time; but the plague raging with great fury, they caught the infection, it is said, from a young gentleman, who was in love with them both, and here they died. They were buried in another part of Mr Gray's ground, called the Dronach Haugh, at the foot of a brae of the same name, and near to the bank of the river Almond. The burial-place lies about half a mile west from the present house of Lednoch. The old family-seat was a castle which stood on a small hill on the banks of Almond, a very strong situation naturally. The ditch that surrounded two thirds of the castle still remains, and the hill is callThis lies about a quarter of a ed the Castle-bill to this day.

mile west from the present house.

"The Holy hill, on which stood three crosses, is about a hunThere is another sacred dred yards south-west from the house. hill called the Cross-hill, on which stood a cross of great antiquity; this lies about a mile and a half north from the house, and near to the foot of which there are three wells, called the Bishops' wells, which lie within a few yards of each other in a triangular shape. The tradition of these wells is this, that the Bishop of St Andrew's, the Bishop of Dunkeld, and the Bishop of Dumblane, all met at these wells, and each stood at the well, on his These are the most re own diocese, and drank to each other. markable curiosities on my ground," &c.

by which we repass the Almond. Above is a manufactory of paper, situated in the most picturesque and charming manner; and, below, a valley extends, which is enlivened by numerous works, and throughout beautified by this rapid and transparent river. A bleachfield occupies the nearest delightful grounds; another paper-mill succeeds; and beyond these, one of the most extensive print-works in the kingdom animates the prospect. Besides these establishments, numerous water-mills are in motion, most of which are on the town's aqueduct, which is taken from the Almond at Low's Wark. The road again returns to the high-way, passing the ancient castle of Ruthven, the name of which, on the murder of the chief of that house in 1600, was changed to Huntingtower. The apartments of this mansion, which formerly witnessed the banquetings of mighty lords, and luxuriously sheltered the slumbers of royal guests, are now subdivid ed, to form humbler dwellings for the artificers at the printfield,

"Then through these haughs of fair and fertile ground,
Which with fruit-trees, with corn and flocks abound,
Meandering rivers, sweet flowers, heavenly honey,
More for our pastime than to conquesh money,
We went a-shooting both through plain and park,
And never stay'd till we came to Low's Wark,

Built by our mighty kings for to preserve us,

That thenceforth waters should not drown, but serve us ;

Yet, condescending, it admits one rill,

Which all these plains with chrystal brooks doth fill,
And, by a conduit large, three miles in length,
Serves to make Perth impregnable for strength;
At all occasions, when her clowses fail,
Making the water mount up to her wall."

Muse' THRENODIE.

printfield. Splendour is fled, but comfort remains, or, perhaps, did not till now exist.

The last object remaining to be pointed out on our return to town, is Tulloch, the first bleachfield which was established in this neighbourhood.

THE afternoon should be occupied by a walk on Kinnoul hill. The road to the summit is no where steep or rugged enough to overpower the most delicate inhabitant of drawing-rooms. Montague walk, winding through the wood nearly one half of the way, is too pleasant to permit any idea of fatigue. But, should any slight sensation of that kind be experienced, the view from the summit will repay such an expence a thousand fold. The profanity of description we shall avoid, but we cannot help quoting a passage from an immortal author, which, often as it has been cited before, was never, perhaps, applied more aptly:

"How fearful

And dizzy 'tis to cast one's eye so low!

The crows and choughs, that wing the mid-way air,
Shew scarce as gross as beetles: Half way down ¿
Hangs one that gathers samphire: dreadful trade!
Methinks he seems no bigger than his head :
The fishermen, that walk upon the beach,
Appear like mice; and yon tall anchoring bark
Diminish'd to her cock; her cock! a buoy
Almost too small for sight: The murmuring surge
That on the unnumber'd idle pebbles chaces,
Cannot be heard so high. I'll look no more,
Lest my brain turn, and the deficient sight
Topple down headlong!"

The

The precipiece of Kinnoul is above 600 feet perpendicular; a height which considerably exceeds that of Dover Cliff. One magnificent part of the description is indeed wanting; but, in place of the ocean, there is a noble river, and all the other objects offer themselves to our admiration.

At the bottom of the hill, on the bank of the river opposite the South Inch, formerly stood the Castle of Kinnoul; but the plough has now removed every vestige of this edifice*.

Kinnoul

"Kinnoul, so famous in the days of old!
Where stood a castle and a stately hold
Of great antiquity, by brink of Tay,
Woods were above, beneath fair meadows lay;
In prospect proper Perth with all her graces,
Fair plantings, spacious greens, religious places,
Though now defac'd through age, and rage of men,
Within this place a lady did remain

Of great experience, who likewise knew,
By spirit of prophecy, what should ensue :

Who saw wight Wallace, and brave Bruce on live,
And both their manhoods lively did descrive
Unto that noble Prince, first of that name,
Worthy King James, who hearing of her fame,
Went to her house these histories to learn,
When as for age her eyes could scarce discern.
This lady did foretell of many things,

Of Britain's union under Scottish Kings,
And, after ending of our civil feuds,

Our spears in scythes, our swords should turn in spades,

In sign whereof there should arise a knight,

Sprung of the bloody Yoke, who should of right
Possess these lands which she then held in fee,

Who for his worth and matchless loyalty
Unto his Prince, should greatly be renown'd,
And of these lands instyl'd, and Earl be crown'd:

Kinnoul hill will undoubtedly occupy the whole of the evening. What remains to be visited is to the northward, and on the following day we shall accompany our visitors far enough on their way to Dunkeld, to point out what we consider worthy their ob.

servation.

WE must set out on foot along the eastern bank of the river. The carriage should be desired to proceed by the highway, about an hour afterwards to wait at the bridge of Almond, as we have previously to visit a place of much note in history, the palace and abbey of Scone. Do not expect to see venerable ivycovered towers nodding in ruin. A palace is even now erecting which will not be exceeded by many in

Whose son, in spite of Tay, should join these lands
Firmly by stone on either side which stands."

extent

MUSES' THRENODIE,

The family of Kinnoul is sprung of the bloody Yoke! being descended from the brave husbandman who rallied his flying countrymen at Luncarty, and led them to a successful charge against the pursuing Danes-his only armour a yoke. It may subject us to ridicule, gravely at this day to point out the fulfilment of another part of this matron's prophecy. It undoubtedly was a descendant of the bloody Yoke who built the present bridge, in as much as Thomas, the eighth Earl of Kinnoul, laid the foundation-stone in 1766, interested himself to collect subscriptions, lent the sum that was deficient, and, in fact, proved the soul of the undertaking. The words of the poem which we have quoted were in print in 1637.

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