Page:A Companion and Useful Guide to the Beauties of Scotland.djvu/162

144 head, suspended in a loose soil; appearing in such a state, as if the jolting of a carriage were sufficient to shake them from their very slender hold; and that they would come tumbling down, crushing to atoms, and whirling to the middle of the river, every thing in their way!—To look at, it was the most frightful pass I had seen. But the pieces of rock must undoubtedly adhere much more firmly to the great mass than they seem to do, for I heard of no mischief ever being done by them; though sometimes pieces do fall, as numerous fragments lie scattered by the road's side, at the base of the rock, on the edge of the river, and also choking its bed. I should fear, in time, part of the castle itself may slip down and take a watery bed in the Forth.