Volume 6

A collection of modern and contemporary voyages and travels containing, I. Translations from foreign languages ... II. Original voyages and travels ... Analyses of new voyages and travels / [Edited by F.W. Blagdon].

Date:
1805-1810
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A collection of modern and contemporary voyages and travels containing, I. Translations from foreign languages ... II. Original voyages and travels ... Analyses of new voyages and travels / [Edited by F.W. Blagdon]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    fraternity inflicted penance for their real or imaginary offences. At a little distance is an urn, in which are deposited a number of human bones, found some years since by the earl’s workmen, in digging a piece of ground supposed to have been the burial- place belonging to the convent, and by his directions carefully enclosed within a handsome stone urn, erected on the spot where they had formerly been deposited. A little farther on, in one of the most enchanting spots the poet’s or the painter’s fancy could devise, stands the mausoleum erected by his lordship, for the reception of the remains of his ancestors, who, if they could be permitted to revisit the earth, would view with plea- sure and delight the sweetly-sylvan scene around their last abode, and admire the taste which fixed upon a spot so truly lovely, so retired, and so perfectly suited to the purpose. From thence the walks continue still to wind along the side of the bank that overhangs the river, the heights on both sides gradually as- suming a more romantic, wilder, and more picturesque appear- ance, until they nearly join their craggy sides, and are completely united by a bridge of one arch thrown across the river, and resting upon two rocky points placed there apparently by nature for that purpose. Around this spot the scenery is enchantingly romantic ; and though the aid of art has no doubt contributed in some measure towards the completion of the whole, her assist- ance has been so judiciously applied, that unadorned nature still seems to predominate, and gives a charm no human care or pains was ever yet so able to accomplish. Beneath the bridge (which, by the bye, is called the bridge of Alva, from its being in the parish of that name, and the rocks on which it rests, “ the Craggs of Alva/’) the water rushes with noisy speed along a rocky channel, while on either side, high, broken, pointed cliffs, impending over the stream, jut out into a variety of forms, inter- mixed with shrubs, tufted with different-coloured mosses, and adorned by long and leafy branches, forcing their way through crevices in the rocks, drooping their heads into the foamy streams, and adding indescribable beauty and variety to the other features of this charming scene. From the bridge of Alva there are also walks cut through the plantations on the opposite side of the river to those already mentioned, which lead in various directions back to the town ; or if the rambler chuses to extend his walk into the highway leading to Macduff', a small town nearly a mile from, and on the other side of the Bay, from Banff, which Lord Fife has contributed to enlarge and render of some importance ; and for its size, it already carries on a pretty brisk coasting- trade, has a tolerable harbour, and imports large quantities of lime, coal, &c. for the use of the neighbouring district. It is governed by a provost and magistrates distinct from those Ii (2