JANET PRINGLE.

The Doctor being of opinion that, until they had something in hand from
the legacy, they should walk in the paths of moderation, it was resolved
to proceed by the coach from Irvine to Greenock, there embark in a
steam-boat for Glasgow, and, crossing the country to Edinburgh, take
their passage at Leith in one of the smacks for London. But we must let
the parties speak for themselves.

LETTER II

_Miss Rachel Pringle to Miss Isabella Tod_
GREENOCK.

MY DEAR ISABELLA--I know not why the dejection with which I parted from
you still hangs upon my heart, and grows heavier as I am drawn farther
and farther away. The uncertainty of the future--the dangers of the
sea--all combine to sadden my too sensitive spirit. Still, however, I
will exert myself, and try to give you some account of our momentous
journey.

The morning on which we bade farewell for a time--alas! it was to me as
if for ever, to my native shades of Garnock--the weather was cold, bleak,
and boisterous, and the waves came rolling in majestic fury towards the
shore, when we arrived at the Tontine Inn of Ardrossan. What a monument
has the late Earl of Eglinton left there of his public spirit! It should
embalm his memory in the hearts of future ages, as I doubt not but in
time Ardrossan will become a grand emporium; but the people of Saltcoats,
a sordid race, complain that it will be their ruin; and the Paisley
subscribers to his lordship's canal grow pale when they think of profit.

The road, after leaving Ardrossan, lies along the shore. The blast came
dark from the waters, and the clouds lay piled in every form of grandeur
on the lofty peaks of Arran. The view on the right hand is limited to
the foot of a range of abrupt mean hills, and on the left it meets the
sea--as we were obliged to keep the glasses up, our drive for several
miles was objectless and dreary. When we had ascended a hill, leaving
Kilbride on the left, we passed under the walls of an ancient tower.
What delightful ideas are associated with the sight of such venerable
remains of antiquity!

Leaving that lofty relic of our warlike ancestors, we descended again
towards the shore. On the one side lay the Cumbra Islands, and Bute,
dear to departed royalty. Afar beyond them, in the hoary magnificence of
nature, ris