Here we might aptly throw a brief glance critical At our own somewhat muddy state political,Viewing, much grieved, the mischief and the muss Created by our "beasts at Ephesus,"

The loaves and fishes of official life

Too oft the only cause of all their strife,—
But let them at each other tear away,
Kilkenny-cat-like, in the doubtful fray;
To most of us, who are the "Outs or
Is a concern not worth a row of pins,
Believing it a truth as any sure,

"Ins "

That "few of all the ills that men endure

Are those which laws or kings can cause or cure."

EXTRACTS FROM NOTES

OF A

Tour through the North of Scotland,

IN 1838-39.

OCT. 23.-At Inverness.-Spent the evening with Mr. MacInnes, a self-taught artist of great merit. His only daughter is a pretty little girl. Addressed a complimentary verse to her picture -one painted by her father, and in which she is represented in the attitude of caressing a favourite dog. MacInnes is an enthusiast in his art, and one of the most intelligent men I ever met with.

OCT. 24.-Visited the Moor of Culloden, on my way to Nairn. Grieved to find the graves in which rests the dust of so many heroic spirits, most shamefully desecrated by burrowing tourists. It seemed as if a herd of swine had been lately digging there. The unhallowed spirit of a despicable industry is soon likely to bring under the dominion of the plough the whole field-graves and all ! Already has the villainous share found its way to within a few yards of that part of the field where the bonneted heroes made their last dread onset.

OCT. 25.-Manse of Croy. My reverend host, a warm-hearted, hospitable soul; his wife a very superior woman, and an enthusiast in Celtic literature.

OCT. 26.-Visited Kilravock Castle, and also that of Calder, in company with Miss Campbell, their daughter. Calder Burn, ex

quisitely romantic. According to a tradition very prevalent in the North, Calder Castle is the scene of King Duncan's death. The room where he slept, and where Macbeth slew him, is yet shown to visitors; so is also a curiously concealed small chamber in which the unfortunate Lord Lovat secreted himself for six weeks, during the reign of terror succeeding the battle of Culloden. Some of the rooms are hung with tapestry, in which several scriptural characters are curiously and strikingly grouped.

Oct. 28.-At Nairn. Had an interview with Mrs Grant, of Duthil, a most intelligent, venerable lady-the author of a work on education and also several poetical "flights" in the Ossianic style.

Oct. 30.-Met the Nairnshire poet, William Gordon—the most ridiculously self-important, egotistical specimen of the doggerel class of rhymers, ever seen by me.

November 4.-Attended a little evening party at the house of the Misses Carmichael-three delightful maiden ladies from Strathspey, and inhabiting a large old house, in which, from its being the best in Nairn at the time, Prince Charles slept on the second, and Cumberland on the very night preceding the battle of Culloden. In a fit of Jacobite enthusiasm I proposed, and was cordially welcomed, to sleep in the identical room where Charlie stretched his own royal limbs. True it is that its having also been for a night the lair of the bloodhound who pursued him, deprives it of much of its sacredness, yet what Highlander would not be proud to accept of the favour thus accorded me?

Nov. 6.- Met Mr. Priest, gardener at Kinsterrie, the author of several clever poems and songs in the Scottish dialect.

Nov. 8.- Left Nairn for Forres. Village of Auldearn on the way, in the vicinity of which the celebrated Blar Ault-Eirinn of our Celtic bards was fought-Montrose and Alastair MacColla, with 1,500 men gaining a complete victory over the Covenanting clans, 3,000 strong. Of the latter, about one-half the number was slaughtered, while Montrose is said to have lost only twenty men ! In the vil

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lage churchyard are the tombs of many of the principal men who fell on that day. Over one pious tenant of the tomb is erected a dial with a suitable inscription-perhaps the very one that suggested Hugh Miller's beautiful address "To a Dial in a Churchyard. There it indeed stands, "in mockery o'er the dead! the stone that measures time. " Three miles further east is the "HarMoor," where the "Weird Sisters" met Macbeth. Here stands, preserved by the good taste of Lord Murray as a mark and memorial of the scene, a clump of fir trees, the sole remnant left now of a once extensive fir wood lately given to the axe. The road to Forres passes within gunshot distance of the very spot where that celebrated meeting is said to have taken place. In selling the wood in question, Lord Murray forgot to make an exception as to these trees, and I have been told that it was not till he had paid him three times their value that the small-souled purchaser would consent to spare them. Visited, a little further on, Brodie House, a very interesting mansion. Beautiful suspension bridge over the Findhorn, which I crossed on my way to Forres, where I took up my quarters for the night.

Nov. 9.-Visited Cluny Hills in the vicinity of Forres. On one of these stands Nelson's tower, built by the spirited people of Forres in commemoration of that naval hero's victories over the French, etc. Most extensive view from it of the surrounding country-the Moray Frith with the "Suitors" of Cromarty seen in the distance, and Ben Wyvis, further off, rising in cloudy grandeur to terminate the westward prospect. Many other hills of lesser note, from Benvaichard, in Strathglass, to Morvern, in Caithness, conspire to make the view altogether a magnificent

one.

Nov. 15.- Dine with the Macleans of North Cottage-a fine family from my own native county. Gaelic-music-very happy. Nov. 17.-An excursion up the banks of the Findhorn to Relugais-lately the romantically beautiful property and favourite residence of Sir Thomas Dick Lauder, who here wrote his "Wolf of

Badenoch," and who, by a happy blending of art with nature, left Relugais a scene altogether worthy of fairyland. Immediately below the house the river Devine joins the Findhorn, where they embrace, like lovers in the greenwood, never more to part company till lost in the Moray Frith. Near by are the remains of a vitrified fort. Two miles further up the Devine is seen Dunphail, the seat of Major Cumming-Bruce. Beautiful spot. An old romantic ruin -once a "keep" of great strength, and connected with much that is wild in the traditions of the country—overlooks the river at a few hundred yards distance from the far less picturesque modern mansion, where, after drinking wine with the Major, I had the pleasure of being introduced to his wife, a great-grand-daughter of Bruce the celebrated traveller. Dine with my kind and hospitable friend, Mr. Simpson, at Outlaw-well.

Nov. 18.-At Forres again. Saw Darnaway Castle on the way. Waited on Lady and Sir William Gordon-Cumming of Altyre; an invitation to dine at Altyre House next Monday, the consequence of the interview.

Sunday, 19.-Heard the Rev. Mr. Grant of Forres preach, and dined with him in the evening. Mr. Grant's style is good, fervent, and yet flowery. He is the author of several pretty hymns and other pieces of poetry.

Nov. 20.-Dined and passed the night at Altyre House. Sir William a most humorous man, a strange compound of great good sense and drollery. Lady Cumming a very charming woman, supremely accomplished, and even talented-paints beautifully, sings well, and is a splendid player on the piano. Miss Cumming and her younger sisters all very graceful. Sir William's son and heir, dressed in the Highland garb, looks every inch a chief.

Nov. 21.-Accompanied Captain Maclean (North Cottage) to Burgie House, the seat of General Macpherson, the Captain's brother-in-law, and a very worthy man. Partridge shooting-good sport. Dine and pass the night at the General's.