Page:A Companion and Useful Guide to the Beauties of Scotland.djvu/143

Rh Miller Castle, the favourite retirement of Queen Mary, when in love with Bothwell. Proceeding on my way, the first sight of Dediston small lake and house, much pleased me; and, indeed, the whole walk, from Dediston round to the Abbey, afforded me much pleasure; and a pleasant view towards Preston Pans; the Barracks; the Forth; the Bass; and the mountains of Fifeshire.

In my way to Dalkeith, I passed very near Crag Miller Castle; the view of it after I had passed it, was by far the best, but nothing striking. At the bridge, at Dalkeith, I again crossed my beautiful friend the North Esk River, where its broken banks are sweetly covered with wood. The town of Dalkeith, is a dirty, shabby place; and the Duke of Buccleugh has done wisely to build a bridge very near his house; by which the approach to it will be, and I suppose now is, far handsomer than that I arrived at, through the town. I did not go to Scotland to see fine houses, nor dressed places. The simple beauty of nature, is my hobby-horse; and where can a hobby-horse of that breed find greater scope than in Scotland? particularly in the Highlands. I did not attempt to enter the house at Dalkeith, but contented myself with seeing the pleasure grounds, park, &c.