happy the state of my mind, I could not have performed well at this
distance of time; but now, I do not know that I shall be able to go on
with it at all. I will strive, however, to do the best I can, setting
before myself a different object from that hitherto aimed at, which was,
to omit no incident, however trifling, and to describe the country so
minutely that you should, where the objects were the most interesting,
feel as if you had been with us. I shall now only attempt to give you an
idea of those scenes which pleased us most, dropping the incidents of the
ordinary days, of which many have slipped from my memory, and others
which remain it would be difficult, and often painful to me, to endeavour
to draw out and disentangle from other thoughts. I the less regret my
inability to do more, because, in describing a great part of what we saw
from the time we left Kenmore, my work would be little more than a
repetition of what I have said before, or, where it was not so, a longer
time was necessary to enable us to bear away what was most interesting
than we could afford to give.

* * * * *

_Monday_, _September_ 5_th_.--We arrived at Kenmore after sunset.

* * * * *

_Tuesday_, _September_ 6_th_.--Walked before breakfast in Lord
Breadalbane's grounds, which border upon the river Tay. The higher
elevations command fine views of the lake; and the walks are led along
the river's banks, and shaded with tall trees: but it seemed to us that a
bad taste had been at work, the banks being regularly shaven and cut as
if by rule and line. One or two of such walks I should well have liked
to see; but they are all equally trim, and I could not but regret that
the fine trees had not been left to grow out of a turf that cattle were
permitted to feed upon. There was one avenue which would well have
graced the ruins of an abbey or some stately castle. It was of a very
great length, perfectly straight, the trees meeting at the top in a
cathedral arch, lessening in perspective,--the boughs the roof, the stems
the pillars. I never saw so beautiful an avenue. We were told that some
improver of pleasure-grounds had advised Lord B. to cut down the trees,
and lay the whole open to the lawn, for the avenue is very near his
house. His own better taste, or that of some other person, I suppose,
had saved them from the axe. Many workmen were employed in building a
large