Page:A Companion and Useful Guide to the Beauties of Scotland.djvu/396

378 prodigious mass of solid rock, and of great circumference and height, should rear its lofty rough head, and be insular on a perfect flat, without the least rising ground for a mile on any side of it, is very astonishing. To this rock from the town is about three quarters of a mile, to the south; it rises on a peninsula of sand, washed by the Clyde, and the river Leven from Loch Lomond, which empties itself into the Clyde at the base of the rock; at the top of which is a fine view. The Castle, in the light of utility as a defensive fortification, is a mere nothing; though a farcical fuss in time of war is made to gain admittance into it. The sketch book and pencil of such an inoffensive draughtswoman as myself, was, with great solemnity, ordered to be left in custody whilst I walked to the top of the Castle, lest I should run away with the plan of this important post of defence. I obeyed orders, but laughed in my sleeve at the prohibition of my innocent portfolio.

The drive from Dumbarton to Glasgow is very fine by Clyde's side; but I did not travel it, as I arrived at that city by another road.

Glasgow is amazingly enlarged; I was there eleven years previous to this tour, and I could