Page:A Companion and Useful Guide to the Beauties of Scotland.djvu/372

354 Awe, where the river Awe runs out of it. From that station the channel of the river seemed narrow; but of such a variety, grandeur, and beauty in the winding scenery about it, that nothing but the eye can take in. The huge masses of mountain of Cruchan Ben and Cruchan Barn, (that is fair) bound the lake and the river to the north-west, and extend from Dalmally to Bun Awe. Nothing can exceed the terrific appearance of that huge craggy mountain facing the north; but on the side of the lake, and the beautiful river, the face of it is indeed fair, being covered with wood and verdure. I never shall forget the effect this scene had on me, when I looked at it during some very short cessations of rain. The lake, the islands in it (and there are several, all, except one, covered with wood, through which the rocks peep like ruined castles; and that one is of grass, and a perfect flat of bright verdure, rising just above the level of the water, forming a great contrast to the other islands), the smooth water gliding to the channel of the river; the beautiful and grand banks of mountains, rocks, and wood, and the projecting promontories of crags, retiring in perspective order, round which the broad river rolls till lost to sight, all was to me so