in the strongest terms, to an Italian who accompanied him, yea as being the finest in the world, yes, replied the

HILL OF BALLYGEICH, &c. Italian, I believe it is, except Mount

To the Editor of the Melange. SIR,

Damietta, (Demiet) at Stirling. These words operated like an electric shock on the nervous system of the enthusiast, for he had spent almost the whole The rage for foreign travelling, to the of his life in the vicinity of the hill neglect of places comparatively speak-without ever having ascended it. Had ing near to our own doors, does not seem in us, at all very justifiable. Foreign travelling is perhaps considered an appendage without which there cannot be a finished education. I agree to this, but apprehend that it would be much more reasonable to argue for this point, of first being versant in what is to be seen in our own country, as, with the exception of rather fewer specimens of antiquity to gratify the classical scholar, there are in it innumerable objects, as well worth the contemplation of the man of taste and science, as in any country under the sun, and those who wilfully neglect the opportunities of research, justly lay themselves open to its censure. There is a good story illustrative of this, which I have somewhere read, if my memory would serve me correctly to relate it. A gentleman was quite in raptures with a view from some hill in Italy, and expressed himself about it,

he been so unfortunate as to have let the cat out of the pock, he certainly would have been a good subject for a display of the risible faculties of the Roman. I myself have known young men who boasted of having lounged in a Parisian caffe, and promenaded on the Boulevard St. Denys, yet living within a few hours walk of Lochlomond, never have been spectators of its solemn grandeur, which have set all the world a running. This blameable conduct evinces either a want of real taste or a determination in the person of for ever being in love with the epithet of Blockhead. Ancient Philosophers earnestly inculcated the maxim nosce teipsum, with which I would beg leave (not in the least undervaluing their profound sapience) to couple another, nosce tuam propriam terram.

I am one of those erratic beings who fond of practising the doctrines Lteach,

take at intervals short excursions to
visit some of our neighbouring scenery,
the greatest part of which I have seen,
and I may be permitted to say that I
believe there is no large town in the
kindom, about which a greater variety
of it can be enjoyed. A friend and I,
both equally fond of escaping the
murky abodes of our dense-peopled
city, projected a short tour to the Hill
of Ballygeich, which we lately accom-
plished. This hill, of pretty general
resort with the amateurs of fine views,
stands about 12 miles to the south of
Glasgow, in the muir, on the east road
to Kilmarnock, and is celebrated, not
without justice, as commanding a more
extensive prospect to the west, than
any other in Scotland. To judge
from the appearance of the hill, we
would almost conceive this to be im-
probable, but the traveller must remark
his gradual ascent from Clarkston Toll,
so that we are indebted for the supe-
riority of the view, not so much from
the height of the hill itself, as this na-
tural advantage of the country. In our
progress while ascending the hill-to the
east Tintoek gradually elevates itself.
From the summit to the south-east, at
a great distance, the horizon is seen
resting on the dark tops of the Moffat
hills the view directly to the south
is limited, from the height of the in-
terjacent lands, but turning to the
west, we are delightfully astonished.
Here the ocean appears one intermine-
able sheet of white surf rising into the
clouds; the eye lost in the apparent
infinite expanse must now retract,
caught perhaps in its return by a glid-
ing vessel, which though seen a mote
in creation, or a form as empty as the
bubble, may contain all the reality of
the merchant, and the golden antici-
pations of the emigrant to other shores.
Were it the lot of the visitor to have
a perfect unclouded sky, on some par-
ticular places, the sphere of his vision

might take a range to the lowest verge
of the horizon, but this can seldom be
obtained in summer, from the vapours
which thicken the atmosphere, though
in clear weather, with the assistance
of a telescope, the coast of Ireland must
be distinctly observed. Stretching the
eye progressively north-west, the iso-
lated Craig of Ailsa rears its gigantic
and venerable head-to the right of
which, appear the lofty protruding
ragged peaks of Arran, till obscured
by the intervening hills. Now appear
the mountains of the Highlands, the
sovereigns of our Isle, who, with an
affected dignity, reign unrivalled-the
range of Campsie and Strathblane hills,
shading off to the north-east, form a
boundary to the north. The inter-
vening landscape is extensive, rising
gently towards the north, and pre-
sents a picture not devoid of beauty.
On the sea coast, to the west, the site
of several towns may be distinctly
traced, but as we approach nearer to
our station, the general aspect of the
country is dreary and forbidding, save,
when in relief to the eye, a scanty crop
on the side of some little hill, seems
struggling to cover the red soil. Ex-
tent is the grand feature of the pros-
pect from Ballygeich, and it may be
there enjoyed in its excellence. The
traveller, when looking around from
its summit, may say with propriety
I am an admirer in the wide Temple
of Nature, environed by the mountains
which are its walls.

It may be worth while to step aside for a moment, and ascend the Meikle Binn, a hill about 14 miles to the north of Glasgow, which commands a prospect to the east, nearly as extensive as the other does to the west.from the summit of this hill, the first prominent objects of attraction, are the mountains of the north, which appear crouded on each other, peak surmounting peak, in matchless grandeur;

་

Descending from Ballygeich, our attention was differently aimed. We proceeded southward, over the muirs, to Lochgoin farm, to see some Relics of the conscientious Covenanters of former days, preserved there. This family of many centuries standing, have resided here, in regular descent, still remaining strict adherents to the Covenanter's cause, so zealously maintained by our pious forefathers. The present generation of the Lochgoin family, consisting of three persons, are a true portrait of the early staunch Religionists who fought, bled, and died for their cause, indeed so much so, that we might almost challenge any one to produce a better likeness

and to the west, the picturesque vil- ration, as perhaps no where could their lage of Fintry, terminates an agreeable minds become more abstracted and vista, edged on each side by the neigh-bent to a particular purpose, and it bouring hills. The view to the east, must be well known to every reader of which principally enhances this hill, is sound history the important transacmagnificently comprehensive--Berwick tions which took place upon these Law-the Bass Rock-and Arthur's sublime portions of our globe. Seat are distinguished, with a considerable part of the sweep of the German Ocean, and to the south the Pentland hills. From the Meikle Binn, to the boundary of the landscape on all sides, the country is one continued level tract, but singularly interesting from the universal fertility of its appearance, and as it embraces rivers, towns, and villages, with whose names and history there have been associated may an early idea. The field of Bannockburn is in view-Carron Work, like some Tartarean Regions, emitting from its fiery bowels darkening masses of smoke, is seen considerably in the distance, generally half obscured. Falkirk, with several places of less eminence and magnitude, stands conspicuous. The sober gliding Carron, and the more majestic Forth beautifully intersect the view, giving life, grace, and effect to the panoramaso that in one coup d'eil are concentrated all that is ornamental in nature, which is useful in the arts, and beneficial to man; the memorable spots where battles have been lost and won,-where the illustrious achievements of Bruce and Wallace add worth and dignity to every inch of the ground. Both of the prospects which we have been contemplating equally deserve attention,The father of the present family, was a though it must be confessed, the latter man quite of patriarchal manner, his eharms us more by its interest. As erudition was considerable, specimens to the personal gratification and im- of which he has left behind him in provement of the traveller, none will sketches of the lives and transactions contest the virtue of such scenes, they of the Covenanters, one of the most are edifyng and instructive in the popular books of the religious class of highest degree. Among our ancient our peasantry, and in other selections, profane writers mountains seem to have all of which do his memory much hobeen held in a sort of religious vene-nour. It is not without feelings of

the accumulation of ages has not diminished one whit of the feature. Living in a wilderness place, in almost monkish austerity, the puritanical rigidity of the sect settled down upon them into constitutional habit, yet we cannot but admire and love the piety, honest simplicity, and genuine worth which, in a very great degree is visible among them, while we lament that in our own day, there is universally found so little of the sterling ore of non conformity to the world, and independence of soul,