Page:Scotish Descriptive Poems - Leyden (1803).djvu/184

 Ver. 54. Arran and Lewis are two of the western isles; the former is the property of his Grace the Duke of Hamilton and Brandon. The herrings caught about the latter are reckoned the best in Scotland.

Ver. 61. The author here means the Grampus.

Ver. 62. This is the name of a fine country in Scotland, and gives title to a noble earl, created by King James a marquis.

Ver. 63. The northern islands are so called, supposed the Thule of Ptolemy.

Ver. 71. A shire in the north of Scotland: Upon this coast several whales have been driven.

Ver. 110. What the author mentions here of the seal is literally true; these creatures frequently come ashore, and when they are attacked, throw stones and dirt up with their forefeet, in the faces of their assailers, who retire to draw them far enough from their young, and then shoot them. Their young are easily seized, and their skins are of use.

Ver. 131. The Dutch used to employ 1500 sail yearly in this fishing, but they are now reduced to a much smaller number.

Ver. 146. Spey, the most rapid river in Scotland, on which there are several fine salmon fishings.

Ver. 160. Elphingston gives title to a lord, and abounds with coal mines.

Ver. 161. Winton gave title to an earldom now forfeited, and was one of the finest estates in Britain of its extent.

Ver. 163. Montrose, & c.; these are names of different towns in Scotland.

Ver. 164. Dundee.

Ver. 165. Edinburgh.

Ver. 171. Aberdeen.

Ver. 218. Soland is a fowl like a goose, which is no where to be found but in the places here mentioned; on the former of which an impregnable fort was built, demolished by the Government since the Revolution.