persons, all devoutly listening to their Minister, who stood before them on what might well be called a small natural Pulpit of living stone. Up to it there led a short flight of steps, and over it waved the canopy of a tall graceful birch tree. This pulpit stood in the middle of the channel, directly facing that congregation, and separated from them by the clear deep sparkling pool into which the scarce heard water poured over the blackened rock. The water, as it left the pool, separated into two streams, and flowed on each side of that Altar, thus placing it in an island, whose large mossy stones were richly embowered under the golden blossoms and green tresses of the broom. Divine service was closed, and a row of maidens, all clothed in purest white, came gliding off from the congregation, and crossing the stream on some stepping-stones, arranged themselves at the foot of the pulpit, with the infants about to be baptised. The fathers of the infants, just as if they had been in their own Kirk, had been sitting there during worship, and now stood up before the Minister. The baptismal water, taken from that pellucid pool, was lying consecra

ted in a small hollow of one of the upright stones that formed one side or pillar of the pulpit, and the holy rite proceeded. Some of the younger ones in the semicircle kept gazing down into the pool, in which the whole scene was reflected, and now and then, in spite of the grave looks, or admonishing whispers of their elders, letting a pebble fall into the water, that they might judge of its depth from the length of the time that elapsed before the clear air-bells lay sparkling on the agitated surface. The rite was over, and the religious service of the day closed by a Psalm. The mighty rocks hemmed in the holy sound, and sent it in a more compacted volume, clear, sweet, and strong, up to Heaven. When the Psalm ceased, an echo, like a spirit's voice, was heard dying away high up among the magnificent architecture of the cliffs, and once more might be noticed in the silence the reviving voice of the waterfall."

How bigoted, and intolerant soever, the zeal of our ancestors may appear; yet it is to their stern and uncompromising spirit, that we owe the full enjoyment of our religious privileges: in these

feelings we shall regain the road that conducts to Lanark, which we can easily do by climbing the height, below the bridge. As we return, nothing remarkable demands our attention, except to point out the situation of Baronald House, on the left, where there is a clear and distinct echo. As we advance, the stranger may turn round at a small cottage, where he will obtain a most delightful view of the vale of Clyde, which fully warrants its derivation, and shews the happy appropriation by which the ancient Britons distinguished localities, the term being from the root Cluyd, which signifies 'warm, sheltered'. Opposite to the vil lage of Kirkfield-bank, is the confluence of the two streams, and as he moves a few paces forward, Benlomond may be seen raising his grey top to the clouds.

CHAPTER XII.

Bonniton & Corehouse Falls.

"Look back!

Lo! where it comes like an eternity,

As if to sweep down all things in its track,

Charming the eye with dread—a matchless cataract
Horribly beautiful!"

ANON.

THE road to these Falls, is by the Wellgate Street, at the top of which, opposite to the Black Bull Inn, a road leads down to the Castlehill; which is perhaps one of the most romantic in the neighbourhood. As we neglected to mention some interesting particulars, concerning this ancient garrison, in their proper place, we shall, as we move along relate them here, whilst we have the site fully in view.

In some old records it was called King David's Tower, which strengthens the presumption, that it

H

was built by David I. During the interregnum, the fortress was in the hands of the English; in whose possession it continued, until Bruce returned from his expedition to the Western Isles, when it was retaken by the brave Sir James Douglas, by a stratagem characteristic of the times. This renowned warrior placed some of his men in ambuscade, near the Castle; while he caused another party to come to Lanark, with laden horses, as if with corn to the market. Sir John of Webiton, Commander of the garrison, observing the loads of corn passing, immediately rushed out, with a party of his men to seize them. The stratagem succeeded; for, the suspected peasants immediately mounted their horses, attacked the Captain and his party, sword in hand, and drove them back, when they were intercepted by Sir James, and the party who had been lying in ambush. Sir John, and a number of his men were killed in their retreat; upon which the garrison. immediately surrendered.

The round hill upon which it stood, has a most magnificent appearance from our present walk, being beautifully encompassed with gardens, or