The grave reader may find fault with the sportive and playful strain in which some of the letters are written. In order to save himself the trouble of inventing an appropriate answer to this objection, the Author will quote a passage from Cowper, not inapplicable to the. present case. I am cheerful upon paper sometimes, when I am absolutely the most dejected of all creatures. Desirous to gain something myself by my own letters, unprofitable as they may and must be to my friends, I keep melancholy out of them as much as I can, that I may, if possible, by assuming a less gloomy air, deceive myself, and by feigning with a continuance, improve the fiction into reality." The form of Letters has been chosen, to prevent any expectation of that formality of method, which is required in treatises on history, politics or philosophy. There is a certain charm in epistolary writing, felt by every reader who has an inclination for the easier and more gentle exercises of the understanding; and it was not thought worth while to sacrifice this advantage to greater order, or more perspicuous arrangement. It is presumed that the beautiful quotations selected as mottoes to the several Letters, will give pleasure to the lovers of poetry and fine composition. This is certainly an innovation in books of travels-but not a disagreeable one. The hint was suggested by a passage in one of the Scotch novels, in which the writer says"I have tagged with rhyme and blank verse the subdivisions of the work, in order to seduce continued attention by powers of composition of stronger attraction than my own." The proof sheets of this work did not undergo the Author's revision: it is to be hoped, therefore, that it will not be subjected to severe reprehension on account of its typographical inaccuracies. As it is also of a light, unpretending nature, and more calculated for amusement than to expand the horizon of knowledge, the Reviewer cannot expect the cold correctness of an elaborate dissertation. A young Author who ventures before the public, is tremblingly alive to every murmur of disapprobation or breath of applause; he is on the edge of a precipice, which tempts him, as the transparent abyss does Goethe's fisherman, to plunge headlong into the deceitful waves. Baltimore, July, 1822. CONTENTS OF VOL. I. Page. LETTER I.-Contrast between the Old and New Town of Church, -II.-To John D.-Environs of Edinburgh-Old Town-Singular assemblage of buildings-A -III.-Laing's History of Scotland-Presbyterians of the early Kirk-"Old Mortality"-Bigotry of the Scotch Clergy-Suicide of a prostitute, -IV.-Riot at an Execution-Edinburgh Bridewell— Smollett's picture of the London Bridewell- 1 -V-Variety in the Scenery of Edinburgh-Holy- rood-house-the Castle-Scene at moonlight, 21 VI.-To John D.-Want of attention to Cleanli- ness--Fondness for dress-Assembly Rooms- -VII.-To the Same.-The "Blue Stockings"-Taste LETTER X.-Westminster Elections-Defeat of Maxwell- -XI.-To Dr. Caldwell.-The University of Edin- -XII.-To the Same-Edinburgh calculated for study -Resurrectionizing-Graduation-Grinding, -XIII-To John D.-Scotch Lawyers-Mr. Jeffrey- -XIV.-State of France-Creation of 59 new Peers- -XVI.-Roslin-Hawthornden-St. Bernard's Well- -XVII.-Frith of Forth-Stirling Castle-Scotch Vil- -XVIII.-Scone-Dunkeld-Duke of Athol's grounds 47 55 62 66 74 81 87 93 The Braan-Ossian's Hall-Rumbling Bridge, 100 XXI.-Loch Lomond Ben Lomond-Reveries of a Solitary Wanderer, 106 113 1.9 LETTER XXII.-General idea of the Highland Scenery- -XXIII.-Essay on the Manners and Character of the 126 129 143 -XXV.-Scotch Steam-boats-Glasgow-History-Ma- --XXVI.-Belfast-Antrim-Lough Neagh-Reveries- -XXVII.-Journey to Dublin-Lord Castlereagh-Dun- -XXVIII.-Historical sketch of Dublin-View from Nel- -XXIX.-To Dr. Caldwell.-Trinity College-Dublin -XXX.-Excursion to the South-Carlow-The Gretna 158 165 169 178 183 |