Page:A Companion and Useful Guide to the Beauties of Scotland.djvu/121

Rh talkative conductor again took his station, and we went on safely, but slowly. As soon as I was convinced the horses were likely to proceed, I began to look about me in Ewesdale, in which we were. Ewesdale is a very contracted valley, and part of it, only the bed of the river; and the road between stupendous mountains reaching to the clouds, and covered with verdure to the summits. The road is cut out of the sides of the hills, sometimes a vast height above the charming rolling water, at others, close to its edge; every step affording a variety of scenery.

The road follows this delightful river nearly to its source at Mosspole, from whose lofty hills it issues, at various springs. The ground at Mosspole must be high, as two fine rivers there rise, and take their course different ways. At Mosspole there is only one house, which would make a very convenient stage for changing horses, as it is nearly halfway between Langholm and Hawick. I observed to the man who kept the house, that as I understood the Duke of Buccleugh wished to promote the use of that road, his Grace should encourage an inn at Mosspole, for changing horses. I received in answer to my observation, that they could not keep horses in that wild place, having