Page:A Companion and Useful Guide to the Beauties of Scotland.djvu/376

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358
A DESCRIPTION OF

alarm a timorous mind. It was however to me a grand and awful scene that penetrated my soul; and I had not a drawback from perfect admiration, except the idea of danger and labour for the men and horses. As soon as the road touches the brink of the river Aray, notwithstanding the tremendous mountains on each side of the very narrow glen, the plantations of the Duke of Argyle shade the river, and creep up every mountain to its summit; and for the three miles before the entrance to Inveraray, the wood is nearly impenetrable on each side the good road leading to that town. About two miles above the Castle I heard the sound of a tremendous cataract; I stopped the carriage and got out; there was then a very short cessation from violent rain; a trifle did not stop me, I therefore followed the noise of rushing water, and came to a wooden bridge across the Aray, resting upon a ledge of rocks, over which the river was foaming with great violence, it being a high flood. I never saw a more picturesque fall: the scenery of wood about it is enchanting; and though it be made very accessible, not the least trace of art is visible, but chaste simplicity is preserved. How it happens that the bridge, slight as it looks to be, is not carried