Page:A Companion and Useful Guide to the Beauties of Scotland.djvu/268

250 that take up the chain which the small plain about Fort Augustus has broken, bordering the lake and river Oich, running towards the sovereign of all the lakes in that quarter of the kingdom. There cannot be a more jagged summit than this Bowling-green of Glen Gary exhibits, (so called in derision.) It is, however, green from the base to the pointed tops of the mountains; wood and meads filling the small space to the lake and river's side. In short, the first view of Fort Augustus from Strath Errick, in a fine day, is like a little paradise; hemmed in on every side, and to appearance, by obstacles impossible to surmount, to have no means either to enter it or escape from it.—In that respect it resembles the happy valley described by Doctor Johnson in his Rasselas, or Prince of Abyssinia.

When I had feasted my eyes with this wonderful view, I began a descent of about a mile; in which, indeed, it seemed impossible for the poor horses either to keep upon their legs, or hold up the carriage behind them, though the wheels were dragged. Had I not had perfect confidence in Allen, and his steady beasts, I must have walked down the precipice, notwithstanding the wet and dirt from the rain in the morning.