celebrated cavern at Castleton, though the bombastic period with which the account closes, detracts from its merit. The effect of a blast* in these darksome recesses is singularly awful, and may, with truth, be compared to a continual peal of loud thunder; yet to talk of its "producing a sound equal to universal nature falling into ruins," is ridiculous.

The description of the Speedwell Level, p. 180, is curious, and should be extracted but for the length to which our remarks have already extended.

The valuable collection of antiquities at Newby-Park, the seat of Lord Grantham, is also described at some length, and said to be only exceeded by the superb museum of Mr. Townley. The account is interesting, but, as usual, presents some inaccuracies. The statue of Silenus is described as having under the right arm a skin of wine, called by the ancients, says Mr. W. the uterus, a ludicrous mistake for uter. The volume closes with some interesting particulars of the Iron-bridge at Sunderland; and of the coal-trade and manufactories of Newcastle.

Having already extended our remarks to so great a length, we must, of necessity, be more brief in our accounts of the second volume, though the subjects that it presents for animadversion, and, perhaps, censure, seem fully equal to those in the former. It commences with a continuation of the description of Newcastle, which offers nothing of ticular importance, unless, indeed, we except the origin of its fortifications, of which the following relation is given:

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"In one of the predatory incursions of the Scots into the town of Newcastle, then un

provided with walls to resist a foe, it happened that a rich citizen was taken out of his bed in the midst of the town, by the marauding party, and carried prisoner into Scotland. Having ransomed himself for a large sum of money, and returned to his home, he determined to provide against a second surprise of the same nature, by persuading the citizens to fortify the place with walls, and a fosse; himself setting an example of public spirit, by aiding the work from his own coffers. The burgesses had wisdom enough to see the utility of the plan, and seconded it with great liberality; so that about fifteen years after the commencement of the work, Newcastle was provided with as complete forti

fications as any place in the kingdom, being surrounded by a wall two miles in length, (circumference,) and strengthened with seve ral towers, and accommodated with seven gates: a defence that secured the town from pillage for nearly four centuries, and enabled it to resist for two months, the heavy siege of the Scotch army under the Earls of Callander and Leven, who at length were obliged to take it by storm."

With the account of Bamborough Castle is connected an interesting history of the Life Boat invented by Mr. Henry Greathead, a ship carpenter of South Shields, who "in the true spirit of philanthropy, waving the idea of exclusive profit, instead of taking out a patent for this admirable invention, generously offered to communicate to others every information in his power on the subject The Life-Boat of its construction."

has already been the means of saving many hundred persons from shipwreck in the sight of home, and we cannot omit this opportunity of bearing testimony to the skill of its ingenious inventor.

It appears from the account of the trade of Berwick, that upwards of 28000 kits of salmon, and 4000 chests of eggs, are annually sent from that port to London. The salmon are procured from the fisheries on the Tweed; and the eggs obtained from all parts of the adjacent country. In plentiful seasons, more than 40,000 kits of the former have been prepared in this town. Netherby, the interesting seat of Sir James Graham, though on a Roman station, and containing a rich collection of Roman antiquities, is but briefly mentioned, while other places of far inferior importance are described at considerable length. Even the account of the ancient city of Carlisle is dispatched in less than a page: and in this the three gateways which from their situations are called, the Scotch, the English, and the Irish, are by Mr. W. named the Scotch, the English, and the French.

In the description of the military ways, which are collectively denominated the Roman wall, our author talks of the "successful campaign made by Tacitus into Caledonia, &c. We suppose that Tacitus is here put for Agricola, as the context indeed implies; but surely it be

hoves Mr. W. to be more attentive to his composition.

The description of Nunnery, the seat of Richard Bamber, esq. is disgraced by as gross an instance of exaggeration as ever tarnished the pages of a modern traveller. Our author, in delineating the falls of the Croglin, employs these words: "The second is wonderfully impressive; the deep water which receives the troubled river after its desperate leap, being nearly involved in midnight darkness by the mass of wood that overhangs its abyss. Approaching

now more closely to each other, the rocks excite the struggling stream to tenfold fury, who with difficulty pushes his waters through an horrible fissure, and forms a cascade of sixty feet, falling with such prodigious force as to have worked for itself a bason three hundred feet into the rock below."

The fall indeed, must be wonderfully impressive, to have made so deep a bason in the solid rock. Not to mention the absolute impossibility of so great an effect being produced from such an inadequate cause, we must observe that the fact is otherwise. Let our author turn to the pages of Houseman, and of Hutchinson; and he will find that the height of the fall does not exceed forty feet; and that the depth of the bason below, is no more than eighteen!

Charleton-Hall, (p. 85), should be Carleton-Hall; and in p. 86, the semicircular stones which in a manner connect the two pillars that form the ends of the giants frame at Penrith, are said to be "two pieces of masonry."

The censure bestowed on the modern erections, which disgrace the scenery of the lake of Keswick, is well-deserved; and we should be glad to see all the incongruous buildings which spring up under the principles of false taste, equally

exposed: the character of the estatesman, as he is called in the language of Cumberland, is very happily drawn; we wish our limits would permit its insertion; though from a false construction in one of the sentences, snow-storms, are represented as amounting, in some instances, to "twelve, or fifteen hundred head in a year." p. 103.

The accounts of the late duke of Bridgewater's canal, and coal works, the latter of which furnish employment to 1300 people, merit commendation; so also does the description of the salt mines, at Northwich.

Hawkstone park, the beautiful demesne of Sir Richard Hill; the iron bridge, and scenery at Coalbrook dale; the Soho manufactory at Birmingham, and the descriptions of Kenilworth and Warwick castles, are all interesting; and we would recommend them to the attention of our readers. Several pages in the account of Stratford are devoted to the immortal Shakespeare, but do not present us with any thing particular.

Out of a multitude of smaller errors may be selected the following, some however of which, are probably attributable to the printer. Among the other inaccuracies, p. 52, 53. Bronscolumn, for Branzholm; reuse for Euse; Lanholm for Langholm; p. 191. dissimular, for dissimilar; and in p. 211. the ingenious inventer of the steam engine, captain Thomas Savery, is said to have erected one at the commencement of the eighth century, instead of the eighteenth.

Upon the whole our opinion is, that Mr. Warner will derive more profit than credit, from a book in which the marks of carelessness and superficial observation are so glaringly conspicuous.

THIS comprehensive title page, like the full charged show-boards of shop keepers, announces that variety and choice which is calculated to please almost every description of persons. The naturalist, manufacturer, merchant, his torian, and literary lounger, are respectively invited to these variegated vo

lumes, and each is promised something for the gratification of his favourite study. But as it rarely happens that one man can be equally skilled in many different sciences, it may be fairly presumed that Mr. Campbell is not completely master of all the subjects enumerated in the title-page.

The topography and antiquities of Scotland have been often described, and many volumes are already before the public, relating to this part of the British islands; Sir John Sinclair has published a very comprehensive work, his Statistical Account, 13 vols. 8vo. Martyn, Pennant, and Cordiner, have elucidated many of its antiquities, and much of its natural history. Marshall, Anderson, and Robertson, have investigated its soils and modes of agriculture; whilst its mineralogy has been ably and scientifically described by Jameson, Williams, Hutton, Faujas, and St. Fond. Within the last twenty years several tourists have also given the public the result of their observations and inquiries: the principal of them are Gilpin, Garnett, Stoddart, Murray, and John

son.

With all this assistance, we expected Mr. Campbell would have produced a more complete and interesting work; but the mind that is absorbed in trifles cannot embrace the more ample and grand objects of nature and art. The tourist who descends to the minute detail of every trivial circumstance relating to himself, and the objects he sees, must be extremely dull jejune and insipid. "Tours," observes Mr. Stoddart, "are the mushroom produce of every summer, and Scotland has had her share. These are read as much as any other ephemeral productions; and some of them live. This vitality is not founded on trite notices, or trivial occurrences. Neither author, nor reader, usually looks with much complacency on the enumeration of mile-stones and public houses, or on the moving accidents,' by broken chaise and sandy road; nor, indeed, do we much care to hear what travellers are sometimes anxious to tell, that they were clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day.' These incidents have their weight; some such information is in its way useful, and no book of travels can be complete without it. A work, however, A work, however, which aspires to any permanence, must rest on more solid merits; it must contain either a communication of important physical facts and discoveries, or an accurate tracing, and novel illustration of human feelings."

We have quoted these remarks as expressive of our own sentiments, and as characterising some parts of the work before us; other parts are disfigured by

long inflated sentences, and obscurity of language; nor is it free from vulgar idioms, and false construction. To instance all these would be unnecessarily tedious; we will, therefore, proceed to the more pleasing task of giving a particular analysis of, with extracts from, the work, that the reader may be enabled to make his own inferences.

The tract which our tourist has traversed, consists of the central provinces of Scotland, comprehending the counties of Edinburgh, Linlithgow, Stirling, Perth, Angus, Fife, Kinross, and Clackmanan. Its southern boundaries are the Pentland Hills; its western the Clyde and Lochlomond; on the north it extends beyond the Tay, to the sources of its tributary rivers; on the east it is terminated by the ocean. This circle contains a variety that includes almost every characteristic of Scottish, climate, soil, productions, external aspect, and inhabitants. From the soft meanders of the Forth, to the rugged precipices of Glenalmond; from the rich plains of Falkirk and Gowry, to the towering barrenness of Shihallion and Benmore; from the lowland farmers and manufacturers of Stirling and Lothian; to the highland goatherds of Rannoch and Glendochart. As a whole this range is new; no tourist that we recollect has taken the same march, or considered central Scotland in one unbroken view.

The author, we perceive, is a native; we view him, therefore, not merely as a passing stranger, exhibiting new objects as they present themselves, but an historian, who ought to be well acquainted with the former state of the places and people which he surveys. Before we deliver our opinion on the merits of this work, we shall present to our readers an analysis of its principal contents, with specimens of the performance, from both of which they will perceive the grounds of our remarks, and we trust coincide in our judgment.

Our traveller begins his journey at Edinburgh, and, taking the road to Stirl ing, the first objects which present themselves are the cultivated enclosures interspersed with villas, which distinguish the various approaches to the Scottish metropolis. Where there is any thing remarkable either in a structure, or in the history of its proprietor, he enters into some description, or offers histeri

cal or biographical remarks. Among these is Merchiston House, worthy of notice, as having been the chief residence of Napier, the famous inventor of the logarithms," the person to whom the title of great man is more justly due," says Hume," than any other whom his country every produced." Proceeding about four miles from Edinburgh, the traveller reaches an eminence, whence there is a distant view of the Grampian Mountains, but the adjacent prospects chiefly occupied the attention, being the highly cultivated fields of West Lothian. Here the agricultural improvements are stated to be so striking and important, that land which ten years ago was scarcely worth ten shillings the acre, now fetches fifty; and the tenant vies in the comforts, and even the luxuries of life, with the landholder.

The first stage from Edinburgh, in this course, is Linlithgow, the chief town of a county, and which was a place of considerable importance, when Scotland was governed by its native princes.

In this town our traveller informs us, Dr. Henry, the historian, instituted a public library, and bequeathed his, valuable collection of books as the foundation for so truly liberal a design. Few occurrences worthy of historical notice, since the common league and covenant was burned, have taken place at Linlithgow.

Within a few miles of Stirling, our author notices a striking instance of agricultural improvement, effected by genius and science, in fertilizing a large tract of land that was before useless. But we shall give the account in the author's own words.

"The mosses of Kincardine and Flanders, as they are called, form an extensive flat of many thousand acres. They appear to have been formed, as all mosses are supposed to have been, of decayed wood. This theory of the growth of moss seems now universally admitted. A visit to the Moss-lairds (as they are denominated) of Kincardine, is well worth the performing; the traveller having it hereby in his power to gratify his curiosity with regard to the happy effects of well bestowed labour and ingenuity. The late Lord Kaims, into whose possession the estate of Blair Drummond came in 1767, contemplating the advantages which might arise from clearing that part of the lands buried under the moss of Kincardine, lost no time in endeavouring to accomplish what was so desirable. Accordingly, he invited a number of poor families from the more remote parts of this district of Perthshire, to come and

other

part

settle in this waste; and marked out certain portions of it to each settler, in order that, by degrees, this hitherto unprofitable heath might become as good arable land, as any truly is the estate of Blair Drummond. The of his valuable demense, for such attempts that had been made to regain the the soil which the moss covers, were not attended with the success that was anticipated, prior to the accession of Lord Kaims to the Blair Drummond estate. Draining, trenching, burning, and other methods had failed. The idea occurred of sweeping away thesuper-incumbent stratum of moss by incans of water; and then, by placing heaps of cut moss in such manner as brought them into action, when the collections of water were let down upon them, the soil was left clear for the plough; and thus the last proprietor had the satisfaction of seeing his plan of agriculture, in some measure, succeed, though not altogether to his wishes. His lordship's son, the present proprietor, following the mode of clearing away the moss by water. laudable example of his father, continued the In order to do this the more effectually, he caused the machine, already mentioned, to be erected, and he has lately had it completely repaired: it is hoped, therefore, that he will be amply repaid every expence, as well as the purpose for which it was originally intended be fully answered."

Proceeding in a western direction, our author arrives among the Grampians, where nature assumes a bolder form, though, at the same time, relieved in places by softness and beauty. He gives a very ample and circumstantial descrip tion of Glenfinglas, and Loch Kaitrin.

Thence penetrating through theGrampians, he arrives at Lochearn, proceeds to the river which rises from that lake, and follows its course through the delightful valley of Strathern.

He then returns to the Grampians, and pursues his course to Breadalbane. In describing this part of the country, he introduces some entertaining sketches of national manners, together with histories of the contests of different clans. He also pursues the military character of the Scottish mountaineers from the desultory warfare of feudal times, to its present state of disciplined heroism.

Our traveller from Taymouth proceeds down Strathtay, till he comes to the most beautiful spot in that country, Logierait, distinguished as the native parish of two gentlemen signally eminent in their respective professions, Dr. Adam Ferguson, the historian and philosopher, and Col. Alexander Stewart, who at the head of the 42d regiment, on

the 21st of March, 1801, afforded so brilliant an example of British gallantry on the plains of Egypt. Mr. Campbell next visits Blair, and returns southward to Dunkeld, the boundary of the highlands.

In his return southward, our tourist proceeds to Perth and Dundee, describes those flourishing towns, and crosses over to St. Andrews. Hence he proceeds along the coast towards Edinburgh, and in his way there he meets with several anecdotes connected with literary history. At Largo, a village noted for manufacture, one of the weavers is John Selkirk, the grand-nephew of Alexander Selkirk, so well known to readers, both old and young, under the name of Robinson

Crusoe.

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The present Selkirk (our author informs us) with pious regard to the memory of his kinsman, preserves the chest and musket, which the latter had with him in the island of Juan Fernandez, on which he was left as a punishment for mutiny. Alexander Selkirk (Robinson Crusoe) was born at Largo in the year 1676. Early accustomed to a sea-faring life, he acquired sufficient knowledge of his profession, as it appears that in the year 1703 he sailed as master of the Cinque Port, captain Stradling, on a cruise to the South Seas; where, it should seem, a mutiny breaking out among the crew, in which Selkirk was a chief actor, instead of suffering the punishment usually inflicted in such cases, he was put on shore on a desolate island, in which he passed four years and four months, in the most hopeless solitude that ever man experienced. The only companions of his seclusion from human society, were wild cats and a few goats, which he had tamed, fed, and familiarized

in such a manner, as at last to bring them to share in his pastimes; and this, together with hunting and devotion, filled up the intervals unoccupied by sleep. He was often heard to mention the horror he felt at the idea, that when dead, the very cats which he had reared, and fed with such tender care, would greedily devour his body. Having spent the time before specified in this forlorn condition, he was at last relieved, and brought to England by captain Woods Rogers, and soon after returned to his native place. Selkirk having communicated to De Fue many of the particulars related in the history and adventures of the fictitious Robinson Crusoe, that ingenious writer, mixing a few real occurrences with fable, produced the pleasing and instructive performance alluded

to."

Near Kirkaldie, the birth-place of Dr. Adam Smith, there is a literary anec

dote concerning the origination of his great work.

Formerly there was a manufactory for iron nails at Path-head, the next village through which we pass. It is said, that the frequent contemplation of the dexterity with which the nailers performed their tasks, suggested to the late celebrated author of the Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations, the vast advantages that result from the division of labour, in turning to account the industry and ingenuity of individuals, the fundamental propositions of his admirable speculations."

Crossing the Frith our traveller arrives at Edinburgh, where he commenced his tour. Of this city he gives a very par ticular, though rather desultory descrip tion, blended with various biographical sketches, new or entertaining; some of these, if not intrinsically uninteresting, are, at least, very common, and in that view superfluous.

The literary history, however, of the Scottish metropolis is ably drawn up, especially that part of it which relates to the rise and progress of dramatic ex

hibitions.

The preceding analysis and specimens may serve to illustrate the object, plan, and execution of the work; which, on the whole, may be consulted with advantage by persons who propose to make a sim• lar tour, or who have not an opportunity of examining many topographical pub lications. The out of our author is, however, very contracted, being for the most part only a portion of the smaller highland tour, that is travelled by numbers of the Edinburgh students during the long vacation, and by every English party of pleasure. His plates are more numerous than valuable, as many of the same subjects have already been published by Pennant, and others; but some are representative of grand scenery, and are, therefore, pleasing to the eye. They are all engaved in the aquatinta style, which is more calculated for broad massy effect, than for discriminating the details of a landscape. Artists and authors should ever bear in mind, that nature is the grand archetype, whose beauty and features cannot be too closely imitated; and as truth and fidelity are the most valuable ingredients in writing, so is correctness of portrait in the deline ation of views. The eye can always discriminate the parts of a real scene, and should be equally satisfied in every pictorial representation.