Highlanders under Dundee and the English troops under General Mackay. Although the army of the former consisted of only two thousand five hundred men, opposed to four thousand, yet, in consequence of their better position and their superior mettle, the Highlanders gained a decisive victory. It was in riding to give instructions to a party of his men to attack Mackay's right wing, that Viscount Dundee, otherwise styled "The Bloody Claverhouse" and "Bonnie Dundee," received his deathwound. And now the fine pass burst into view. The hills, densely clad with rich verdure, rise one above the other, while at the foot of the chasm the waters of the Garry bubble and seethe and foam like a whirl

pool, as if endeavouring to cleave a passage through the black abysses round it. At 4.45 the little village of Pitlochrie was reached, and as the train to Perth did not start till 5.50, the passengers entered the hotel, in order to enjoy a good dinner, for which the long ride gave a strong relish.

On entering the dining-room the tourists found three gentlemen eating soup; but as the coach passengers had to go on by the train, the waiters at once neglected the first three visitors and devoted all their attention to the new-comers. At this slight, the rage of the senior of the first party became fearful in its intensity and ludicrous in its effect. He jumped off his chair, vowed he would not dine at all, and declared he was as good a gentleman as any in the room-a statement which his conduct belied. At length, after satiating himself with some salmon, he

was persuaded to carve a small leg of mutton.

No sooner was the cover removed than he said he had ordered beef, and threw his knife and fork into the dish, only to take them out again to finish his dinner, growling like a surly bear, as in truth he seemed to be. At the little station of Pitlochrie was a big drunken navvy, endeavouring to show his affection by hugging a smaller specimen of the same genus. Toddles was very much amused to hear this fellow, after striking an effective attitude, spout fifty lines of the "Lady of the Lake," beginning with

"For, Saxon, I am Rhoderick Dhu."

The train ran on a single line through the beautiful old cathedral town of Dunkeld to Perth, where Toddles laid out a large sum of money in the purchase of the Saturday Review and other periodicals. After loitering about the large and well-built station for some time, the friends took a fresh train to Stirling, where they arrived, somewhat tired, about eight o'clock. As soon as they had had some tea, they went out for a stroll, in order to see the chief of what the old town could boast. They first threaded their way to the castle, which is built on the brow of a beetling rock. Some idea of the age of this building can be gathered from the fact that the first Alexander of Scotland died there in 1124. It afterwards was held for three months against Edward I. of England, when it was kept by the English for ten years. For many years it was a royal palace, and is noted as being the birthplace of several of the Scotch kings. Near the castle, on a green, were some men playing bowls, and shouting with lusty lungs as each stroke was made.

Turning from the noise, which somewhat jarred upon the ears of the travellers, they went into the churchyard, situated on a declivity of the castle, and for a time wandered about, admiring the beautiful specimens of the mason's art with which this necropolis is adorned. Inside the church, known as the Greyfriars, James VI. was crowned, on the 29th July, 1657. It is also interesting to know that John Knox preached the coronation sermon. Statues of the leading martyrs and promoters of the Reformation have been placed in the churchyard by the liberality of a gentleman of Stirling; and near the centre is to be seen a very beautiful fountain, with an inscription written upon it in Hebrew characters.

The streets leading from the castle are so tortuous and badly built, that Toddles and his friend soon lost their way; and owing to the firmness, or rather obstinacy, of Richard, who felt convinced that he knew the road very well, it was not until nearly eleven o'clock that the two

travellers reached the hotel where they were staying. Before retiring to rest, the cautious Stepwell thought it advisable to ascertain the state of their finances, since Toddles, who certainly was rather an extravagant young man, had spent almost all his money, not in defraying his share of the daily expenses, but in purchasing a lot of knicknacks which were of little service to him, and which certainly made his knapsack heavy to bear, besides giving it a knobby appearance, by no means agreeable when these swellings took place on the side which was nearest to his back.

On adding up the store Stepwell discovered to his great grief that they possessed only thirty shillings between them. “Oh, Dick!” said he, despondingly, "what are we to do? I doubt if this money will take us to Loch Katrine; and we know no one here." "Now, Tom, don't be spirits rarely failed him.

so downhearted!" said Toddles, whose good "This money must last all to-morrow, and when we get to Edinburgh you know there will be a letter at the postoffice, inclosing that ten-pound note for which I wrote when at Inverness."

"Yes, but suppose your brother does not write in time?" mournfully said Tom, determined to take the worst view of the matter.

"Now, Stepwell, what's the good of supposing anything of the sort? He's sure to write; besides, even if he does not, I know some people in Edinburgh who will lend to me whatever I require.”

"Oh, that's all very well, Dick!" Stepwell had evidently made up his mind that their money would not last, and perhaps enjoyed the opportunity of blaming his friend for his silly extravagance. "But now that I think of it, I don't believe that our money will last us to-morrow. You know we are sure to want a pound each, and yet we have only thirty shillings between the two. It is all your fault. Whatever made you buy that stupid lot of things at Inverness? What do you want with a ruler, a cigar-case, a watch-stand, and a lot of other things that are only made to tempt green Londoners to buy?"

"Come, come, old fellow; if we are careful, we'll get through, I am sure. Now count your money once more. How much is it?"

Stepwell did as he was bid, and this time found another half-sovereign in the corner of his pocket. This discovery cheered him so much, that he actually allowed Dick to persuade him to take a glass of grog. Soon they turned into bed, but it was some time before they were at rest, for Stepwell, who so enjoyed teasing his friend for being a cockney, grumbled and growled about "green Londoners," until Toddles declared that he'd throw his pillow at him. Then Tom desisted, and they fell asleep.

TODDLES'S HIGHLAND TOUR.

AT

THE SEVENTH DAY-STIRLING TO EDINBURGH.

T ten minutes past eight on Wednesday morning, Toddles and his friend took the train from Stirling to Callander. The chief point of interest in Callander, in addition to the healthiness of its situation, is the fact that it is from here that the coaches start for the Trosachs and Loch Katrine. Clambering into the front outside seats of a coach, Toddles and Stepwell found themselves in company with a pleasant, chatty young Scotchman, who talked con amore about the neighbourhood and its many romantic associations. At about two miles and a half from Callander the Scotchman directed Toddles's attention to a large stone lying on the top of a spur of Benledi. This missile is known by the name of Samson's Putting Stone, and it is said that it was thrown to the spot whereon it stands from the top of another spur of the same mountain, close at hand.

Farther on to the left is Loch Venachar, a beautiful sheet of water about five miles long, and noted for the salmon and trout it contains. It is now used as a reservoir by the Glasgow Water Company, and it is intended to raise it five feet and eight inches in order to compensate for the water taken from Loch Katrine.

On reaching the elegant inn, known as the Trosachs' New Hotel, the coachman kindly promised to wait ten minutes, in order to allow the tourists time for breakfast, as they

had quitted Stirling without partaking of that meal.

m

Near this place is the renowned bridge now immortalised by Sir Walter Scott,

"And when the Brigg of Turk was won,

The headmost horseman rode alone."

Crossing this, and passing a pretty loch, into which Loch Katrine falls, known as Loch Achray, the coach drove through a thicket of ash and birch, and then, after passing the Trosachs Hotel, or Airchcheanochrochan, entered the Trosachs, or bristled territory.

As other writers have confessed that the place is indescribable, nobody will expect us to write a description of it. A narrow road is

cut through wild rocky heights covered with heather and bush, forming a scene of

"Crags, knolls, and mounds confus'dly hurl'd,

The fragments of an earlier world."

"Foxglove and nightshade side by side,

Emblems of punishment and pride,
Group'd their dark hues with every stain
The weather-beaten crags retain ;
With boughs that quak'd at every breath,
Grey birch and aspen wept beneath;