THE

VILLAGE OF KENMORE,

NEAR

TAYMOUTH,

THE RESIDENCE OF THE EARL OF BRAIDALBIK,

Perthshire.

THE situation of the small, but increasing village of Kenmore, is the most inchanting that can well be conceived; simple in itself, it stands surrounded by sublime and imposing scenery. From the eminences of Taymouth, the country around is seen in all its grandeur; and it is no wonder that Burns should employ his muse in a tribute of praise, on beholding a prospect so calculated to fix his attention, and to call forth the powers of his mind. Immediately behind Kenmore, when seen from Taymouth, is Loch Tay, whose banks are covered with wood, interspersed with corn-fields, and variegated with the blushing blossoms of the heath, umbrageous plantations, and matted underwood. At intervals may be seen, though indistinctly, the two roads leading to Killin, winding along the borders of the lake. On the right hand, a bold

KENMORE from TAYMOUTH.

The meeting cliffs each deep sunk glen divides,
The woods wild scatter'd clothe their ample sides.
Th'outstreaching lake, embosomed 'mong the hills,
The eye with ivonder and amasement fills,

and richly-wooded hill presents itself; which, projecting its ample bosom, exults to see its varied aspect reflected from the surface of the glassy lake. On the left, in the extreme distance, is Ben-More, the loftiest of the Grampian Hills; and, on the extremity of the northern shore of the lake, rises the majestic hill of Lawrs. An attempt to describe the grounds of Taymouth would carry us far beyond our intended limits; the beauties of Nature and Art seem here combined, and fully convey all that can be imagined from the language of Burns.

Here Poesy might wake her heav'n-taught lyre,
And look through Nature with creative fire;
Here, to the wrongs of fate half reconcil'd,
Misfortune's lighten'd steps might wander wild;
And Disappointment in these lonely bounds
Find balm to sooth her bitter, rankling wounds:
Here heart-struck Grief might heav'n-ward stretch her scan,
And injur'd Worth forget, and pardon man.

THE

FALLS OF BRUAR,

Perthshire.

THE beauty of many of Burns' subjects consists not only in the elegance of their diction, but in their descriptive truth; indeed, so remarkable was he for this, that a tourist of great celebrity* observes, "that Burns seems to have made a poetical tour through the country." "This remark is fully exemplified in "The humble petition of Bruar Water to the noble Duke of Athol." No description can be more correct, and it only remains for us to convey some idea of the surrounding scenery.

The Falls are on the grounds of His Grace the Duke of Athol, and about four miles from his residence at Blair, in Perthshire. The Duke has in part taken up the idea of the poet; and, if the situation is congenial to their growth, lofty firs, at some future period, will raise their towering heads, and shade the "lowly banks" of the Bruar; but, at

* Campbell.