* The par is a small fish, not unlike the smelt, which it rivals
in delicacy and flavour.
To Dr LEWIS.
DEAR DOCTOR,
If I was disposed to be critical, I should say this house of
Cameron is too near the lake, which approaches, on one side, to
within six or seven yards of the window. It might have been
placed in a higher site, which would have afforded a more
extensive prospect and a drier atmosphere; but this imperfection
is not chargeable on the present proprietor, who purchased it
ready built, rather than be at the trouble of repairing his own
family-house of Bonhill, which stands two miles from hence on the
Leven, so surrounded with plantation, that it used to be known by
the name of the Mavis (or thrush) Nest. Above that house is a
romantic glen or clift of a mountain, covered with hanging woods
having at bottom a stream of fine water that forms a number of
cascades in its descent to join the Leven; so that the scene is
quite enchanting. A captain of a man of war, who had made the
circuit of the globe with Mr Anson, being conducted to this glen,
exclaimed, 'Juan Fernandez, by God!'
Indeed, this country would be a perfect paradise, if it was not,
like Wales, cursed with a weeping climate, owing to the same
cause in both, the neighbourhood of high mountains, and a
westerly situation, exposed to the vapours of the Atlantic ocean.
Pages:
433
434
435
436
437
438
439
440
441
442
443
444
445
446
447
448
449
450
451
452
453
454
455
456
457