OR, The Western Circuit. BY CATHERINE SINCLAIR, Author of "Modern Accomplishments," "Modern Society," "Hill and Val- Brave world, that has such people in it! SHAKSPEARE. DEDICATED TO THE HIGHLAND SOCIETY.' NEW YORK: D. APPLETON & CO., 200 BROADWAY. PREFACE. Studious we toil, correct, amend, retouch, It may probably be considered a somewhat presumptuous hope for the author to imagine she might add any interest to what is already familiarly known respecting past and present times in Scotland; and certainly if the many who could succeed in this attempt better, had undertaken the pleasing task at all, she might have entirely refrained from adding her mite to the general fund of entertainment on those interesting topics. The mine is abundant, and requires only to be worked, but strangers about to explore the northern regions, vainly inquire for any recent work, to act as a clue in conducting them through the labyrinth of our Highland hills and glens, affording the general in formation, and local anecdotes, which add life and animation to that beautiful scenery. While the press abounds with interesting pages, describing the present state of the Pawnees, Zoolus, Red Indians, Thugs, London pick-pockets, New Zealanders, and other barbarians, hardly one stray journal has ventured forth, these many years, respecting the almost unknown tribes of Caledonia. An excursion in Scotland wants the novelty and adventure of savage life; neither can it boast of anything to compare with the gorgeous paraphernalia of a continental tour. The traveller must here dispense with carnivals, operas, cathedrals, restaurateurs, brigands, improvisatori, arch-dukes, and ex-kings; nor can he fall into raptures about the Venus de Medici, or the climate, but to compensate for these lamentable deficiencies, we have in the Highlands old traditions, second sight, bagpipes, witchcraft, clans, tartan, whiskey, heather, muir-fowl, reddeer, and Jacobites! |