Inverary Castle.

strikes the mind that the whole buildings have the appearance of the palace of some nobleman, and excites expectations of grandeur, which a nearer inspection convinces you to have been fallacious; and some travellers have remarked, that the ideas formed by political economists of the progress of society are here reversed, for the people have little comfort in their ha bitations: the outward prospect of the buildings bespeaks considerable wealth ;—first should come internal comfort, then to spare for decoration on the exterior -at Inverary, things have taken a contrary direction.

Several attempts have been made to introduce manufactories here, which have failed. The fishing in the Loch may have been one cause ;-the great wages which it affords for six months in the year, would attract the attention of the workmen, and promote habits of irregularity inconsistent with that steadiness required for the successful prosecution of manufacturing concerns.

INVERARY CASTLE.

In order to visit the Castle, it is necessary to leave the names of the party at the Inn, which are transmitted to the Castle; soon after an answer is returned, mentioning the time it will be convenient. The castle itself is a square building of Gothic architecture, flanked with circular towers, crowned with a square embattled pavilion, rising from the middle.

It consists of three storeys, one of which is partly below the level of the park. It is built of dark greyish stone, harmonizing with the surrounding scenery.

The interior decorations are in unison with the exterior of this noble mansion; having a lofty saloon, hung round with arms and armour, as also a gallery

Inverary Castle.

and an organ, all ornamented with great taste, from which branch off the different apartments, too numerous to be particularized. The great drawing-room may be mentioned; it is hung round with beautiful tapestry, and otherwise ornamented in the neatest and most superb manner. The number of pictures is not great, consisting principally of family portraits, amongst which are the unfortunate Marquis of Argyle and his son, who perished on the scaffold. Of the landscapes little can be said, excepting, a few by Naysmith and Williams, highly creditable to the artists, being views in the neighbourhood of Inverary.bodyisu ... The scenery about Inverary has been much improved by the Dukes of Argyle since the rebellion in 1745, when the castle was begun; since that time nearly L. 300,000 has been expended in planting, improving, making roads, and other works of utility and decoration.lt

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To the

Great part of this sum has been laid out on the pleasure-grounds attached to the castle, and these are well worth seeing. The bridge over the river Aray and the hill of Dunicoich, which appears behind the castle when coming from the inn, are two striking objects; the height of the hill is 750 feet, mostly covered with wood, except on the summit, where is erected a square tower, noted for its extensive prospect.

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The walks, laid out with the greatest taste, will conduct the traveller to many beautiful prospects, too numerous for recital. The vale of Essachosen, about two miles from Inverary, is a romantic scene. The road from the inn leads to it through a long and dark avenue of aged elms, and at its upper extremity is a fine cascade, surrounded by hills covered with wood and verdure, but broken here and there by rocks.

Loch Awe-Bunair.

The bridge of Douglas, over a small river of that name, is also worthy of attention, supposed by some to be a Roman structure. On this stream are three falls of water, each forming a considerable cascade, well deserving the attention of the curious; the highest, called Lenach Gluttim, is the largest, and above it a wooden bridge, which, with the surrounding rocks and trees, forms a simple and highly pleasing view.

Inverary, in the fishing months, is enriched by the number of people employed at the fisheries on the Loch, affording employment to the people in the town and neighbourhood.

INVERARY TO STAFFA.

of

AFTER leaving Inverary, the road proceeds through Glenrora, in a northern direction. For the three first miles, it presents an agreeable and interesting prospect. At the 6th mile-stone, there is a pretty steep ascent which continues for two miles. Having reached the summit, an extensive and agreeably diversified scene opens to the view, and most forcibly attracts the eye the traveller ;--he beholds Loch-Awe, with its woody islands, the beautiful seat of Hayfield, and the towering hills of Cruachan and Etive. The road proceeds with a gentle descent to the end of this stage. Here there is a small ferry across Loch-Awe, where there are boats fit to convey across horses and carriages.— Having crossed, the road goes through a pretty fertile country, till it arrives at the second stage, near the village of Bunair, at the foot of Cruachan, the second highest hill in Scotland. From this nothing occurs

Dunstaffnage Castle-Oban-Aross.

worthy of remark, till, within a few miles of Oban, the roaring tide of Connal rouses the attention of the traveller with its tremendous noise. A little further on, the ancient Castle of Dunstaffnage presents its mouldering fabric. The approach to the port of Oban is extremely romantic. The village is neat and thriving. The few streets in it are regular, and some of the houses not inelegant. At the inns, strangers meet with very good accommodation. The harbour is safe and capacious, but stands greatly in need of a new pier. From this town, travellers are accommodated with boats to the island of Mull.

The most eligible place for those who wish to visit STAFFA, is to take the boat along the Sound of Mull as far as Aross, which saves a walk of 16 miles, there being no horses to hire. The sail along the Sound of Mull, in a good day, is as pleasant as can be imagined. The scenery on each side of the Sound is highly picturesque and romantic. Landing at Aross, travellers are now well accommodated in the inn lately built there. The distance from this to the ferry of Staffa is about seven miles. Here they keep an excellent boat, ready at all times for the convenience of passengers.

Sir Joseph Banks's description of Staffa is the best we have seen, and is here presented to the reader in his own words, as inserted in Pennant's Tour. The Plates are engraved from drawings by Mr Pennant.

SIR JOSEPH BANKS'S ACCOUNT OF STAFFA.

"In the Sound of Mull we came to anchor, on the Morvern side, opposite to a gentleman's house, called