This"
observes the gallant David Stewart, "is a species of duty not often
practised, perhaps, by our aide de camps of the present day."--
Sketches of the Highlanders, vol. i. p. 65.
I have only to add, that the Second Series of Chronicles of the
Canongate, with the chapter introductory which precedes, appeared
in May, 1828, and had a favourable reception.
ABBOTSFORD, Aug. 15, 1831.
CHAPTER I.
"Behold the Tiber," the vain Roman cried,
Viewing the ample Tay from Baiglie's side;
But where's the Scot that would the vaunt repay,
And hail the puny Tiber for the Tay?
Anonymous.
Among all the provinces in Scotland, if an intelligent stranger
were asked to describe the most varied and the most beautiful, it
is probable he would name the county of Perth. A native also of any
other district of Caledonia, though his partialities might lead him
to prefer his native county in the first instance, would certainly
class that of Perth in the second, and thus give its inhabitants
a fair right to plead that, prejudice apart, Perthshire forms the
fairest portion of the Northern kingdom. It is long since Lady Mary
Wortley Montagu, with that excellent taste which characterises her
writings, expressed her opinion that the most interesting district
of every country, and that which exhibits the varied beauties of
natural scenery in greatest perfection, is that where the mountains sink
down upon the champaign, or more level land.
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