I crossed the Water of Hope in a ferry-boat, and then had to ascend a very steep brae which commanded noble views of Strath More, and of the bright blue peaceful waters of Loch Hope. The windings of the river through the strath, and of the steep road, which I was surmounting, formed interesting objects in these magnificent landscapes.

At length I reached the summit, and suddenly gained another totally different, but still more majestic burst of mountain scenery across Loch Erribol. Some of these extraordinary mountains are literally black and white, and produce by the contrast of their colours strange effect. Their forms, too, are no less grotesque than their tints, some of them being pointed into cones, some rounded into turrets, and some exhibiting vast bare sloping fields of stone, destitute of all vegetation, and glistening in the westering sun. The Highlander calls them, "the bones of the land protruding through its skin."

The road now descended in deep zigzags to the village of Erribol, which has but little to attract attention, except a kirk remarkable for its diminutive size. I was pleased with its unassuming

dimensions, which contrasted so strangely with the great mountain masses soaring around. So small is it, that until the traveller has nearly reached its walls, the whole building is lost as a speck, and confounded in the mighty landscape. And surely, this is not the spot for gorgeous temples, reared by human hands; since, however richly wrought, or massively piled, they would, amidst the more glorious altars of Nature, dwindle down to insignificant toys. A simple lowly structure, like this, is far better adapted to such majestic scenes; appearing to bear on its very front the humble confession, that man is little, and God is great.

From Erribol to Hailaim Inn, the road lies along the edge of the loch under fine marble rocks, and is itself entirely constructed of marble. But in spite of the splendour of its materials, it was a dreary road to me. Though not at all foot-sore at starting, I had not walked three miles, before I made the annoying discovery, that my deer stalking expedition had not only frayed the leather of my shoes, but also that other foot-leather, which more peculiarly and personally belonged to myself. How fortunate, that I resisted Captain

-'s invitation to Ben Klibreck! I should have been a sad incumbrance to him, for he was far too kind-hearted, to have left me to shift for myself. I heartily congratulated myself on my prudent forbearance, and at length, after many discouraging windings of the road, hobbled into Hailaim Inn. It is situated upon a singular peninsula, jutting out like an ace of clubs, from the eastern coast of Loch Erribol; and from its highest point commands a splendid view of the head of the loch, which reminds me, though upon a very gigantic scale, of the head of Derwent Water as seen from Keswick.

Aug. 31.-Being completely out of walking condition, I am compelled to remain quiet for a day; but the hardship is not overwhelming, inasmuch as the weather has relapsed to its usual state. A series of three fine days appears to involve some physical impossibility, and so this morning the loch is covered with foam.

There are many vessels riding at anchor in the Erribol roads, which lie a little below Hailaim, and afford the most effectual protection from gales and contrary winds. The security of the station is indeed admirable: Loch Erribol itself is a