Page:A Companion and Useful Guide to the Beauties of Scotland.djvu/337

Rh glen, shaded by continued wood, and very fine trees hanging over it, which mostly meeting each other, partially conceal, and greatly ornament the water, as it roughly rolls along. Its banks are dotted with tolerable houses on each side, and many small clusters of Highland habitations and farm houses. In short, Glen Lyon is a beautiful, though a confined district. At length I arrived at the kirk of Fortingal; and in that kirk yard is the ruin of the famous yew tree, which, when in vigour, measured fifty-two feet in girth. The sound of the carriage at the kirk gate, brought out the clergyman from his manse adjoining. No set of beings can surpass the inhabitants of the Highlands (of every description), in hospitality and attention to strangers; but at the same time they are extremely curious, and must know every thing, of every body who comes in their way; who they are, what they are, whence they come, and whither going. They in an instant combine circumstances, and are au fait in a moment. They put me in mind of what Doctor Franklin mentions of the Americans. That their curiosity about strangers and travellers, took place of every other consideration; that they would not stir an inch till that curiosity was