in this vale of
tears. If the _name_ of the delineator continue to have something sacred
in its sound--obscure to the many as it may be, or non-existent--the
hope of such posthumous fame is sufficient to one who overrates not his
own endowments. And as the hope has its root in love and sympathy, he
who by his writings has inspired towards himself when in life, some of
these feelings in the hearts of not a few who never saw his face, seems
to be justified in believing that even after final obliteration of _Hic
jacet_ from his tombstone, his memory will be regarded with something of
the same affection in his REMAINS.

REMARKS

ON THE

SCENERY OF THE HIGHLANDS.

REMARKS

ON THE

SCENERY OF THE HIGHLANDS.

[Professor Wilson's "Remarks on the Scenery of the Highlands" were
first published as a Preface to _Swan's Select Views of the Lakes
of Scotland_, 2d edition, 1836. They were not included originally
in the "Recreations of Christopher North;" but the harmony of their
tone and spirit seemed to recommend them as an appropriate sequel
to that work; and accordingly they are now reprinted as such. The
thanks of the Editor and Publishers of Professor Wilson's writings
are due to the Messrs Fullarton, the proprietors of "Swan's Views,"
for the liberal manner in which they have placed this valuable
article at their disposal.]

* * * * *

In no other country does nature exhibit herself in more various forms of
beauty and sublimity, than in the North of England and the Highlands of
Scotland. This is acknowledged by all who, having studied their
character, and become familiar with the feelings it inspires, have
compared the effects produced on their minds by our own mountainous
regions, with what they have experienced among the scenery of the Alps.
There, indeed, all objects are on so vast a scale, that we are for a
while astonished as we gaze on the gigantic; and all other emotions are
sunk in an overwhelming sense of awe that prostrates the imagination.
But on recovering from its subjection to the prodigious, that faculty
everywhere recognises in those mighty mountains of dark forests,
glittering glaciers, and regions of eternal snow--infinite all--the
power and dominion of the Sublime. True that all these are but
materials for the mind to work on, and that to its creative energy
nature owes much of that grandeur which seems