were not active in catching them. But matters are the reverse now. Fisheries on the rivers, as well as the sea-coasts of Scotland, are more and more becoming an object of concern; and nets, boats, and casks, and fishers are almost every where to be seen. Indeed, when any shoal of fishes appears, which is generally indicated by numbers of sea fowls flying about it, joy and gladness appear in every face; and so attentive of late are the officers of his Majesty's ships of war, batteries, &c. about the Frith, that they avoid, as much as possible, firing cannon, lest they should deter the fishes from approaching the coast. If the firing of a cannon will sometimes agitate water to the distance of fifty or more miles, why does the castle of Edinburgh fire her guns upon any but important occasions? Perhaps the firing the guns of the castle of Edinburgh has done more mischief, by driving fish down the Frith, than all the good it ever did.

From Kincardine, along an excellent line of road, I arrived at Culross, which is a royal burgh, beautifully situated on the banks of the Forth, and commanding an extensive prospect, though irregularly built. Lord Dundonald has a noble mansion here, with extensive woods and pleasure grounds. There is a coal-pit here on the beach, whence vessels may receive coals at the pits mouth, where they work it. Though the beach be so level, that, when the tide is ebb, you are more than a mile from the water; when it flows, it comes to the very doors. The town contains a few manufactories of linens and cottons. The people here, as in most towns in Scotland, are divided into a variety of religious parties,

which are too apt to encourage and support strolling preachers. Not long ago, I was informed, a company of players, from the Edinburgh theatre, wished to try their fortune here for a few evenings; and one of them, coming a day before the rest, fell short of cash. Happening, in an ale-house, to fall in with a shoemaker, the player, concealing his profession, proposed to give the inhabitants a word of exhortation. The shoemaker, finding himself in company with such a piously disposed person, immediately called for more porter, and not only offered to be precentor, and otherwise assist him, but also sent to advertise the inhabitants when and where to meet. Great numbers assembled, and the shoemaker, though rather tipsy, precented. The player, having vociferated out an extemporary prayer, and delivered what they thought an excellent sermon, drew from his hearers from five to six pounds sterling; and would have made more of it, had not the other players arrived, and informed them what he was.

In Culross muir, or common, there is a large stone with the mark of a human foot, seemingly indented, though not by art, and so credulous are some of the people here, that even yet it is believed that a witch, who happened to light here, from riding through the air on a broom stick, imprinted this mark with her foot. The word or name Culross, signifies, in the Celtic language, the extremity, or, more properly, the hinder part, Dorsum or Ross, denoting a promontory, which was the antient name of Fife. Thus, too, Kinross, signifies the higher part, or the head of Ross, i. e. FIFE.

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Having passed New-Mills, Torryburn, &c. &c. all on the north side of the Forth, where I observednothing very remarkable, except uncommonly well cultivated fields, and many evident signs of a thriv-ing country, I came to lord Elgin's lime-works, which are, perhaps, the most extensive in Europe. The conveniency of coals, which are to be found here every where in abundance, the facility of procuring the lime-stone, and its contiguity to the coals, and conveniency of shipping, &c. render this place highly useful to the country, and advantageous to the proprietor.

As I rode along the great road, on the banks of the Forth to the east, I had a beautiful view of Dumfermline, which is a thriving place. Diapers of various fabrics have for a long time past been manufactured here. The church steeple is seen at a great distance, being exceedingly high, as well as more than ordinarily elegant.

At Dumfermline are the remains of a magnificent abbey and palace of the kings of Scotland, in which were born Charles I. and his sister, the princessElizabeth, mother of the princess Sophia, from whom the present royal family are descended.

The cathedral church of Dumfermline was the burial place of several of the Scottish kings: particularly of Malcolm III. with his queen, Margaret, grand-daughter of Edmund, and of Canute the Great, kings of England; Alexander I. with his queen, Sibilla, David I. and his two queens; Malcolm IV. Alexander III. with his queen, Margaret, daughter of Henry III. king of England; and

Robert I. with his queen, Isabella, besides many other princes and nobles. In short, there is not any spot in Scotland, even Scone not excepted, more fitted to awaken a recollection of former times, and the fortune of the Scottish princes, than Dumfermline. The great actions, and the death, and dying request of Robert Bruce, particularly rush on the mind. His body was buried here. But his heart, at his own earnest desire, was embalmed, and committed to the charge of Sir James Douglas, to be carried and deposited by him in the holy sepulchre at Jerusalem.

This memorable occurrence, which exemplifies the spirit of chivalry, then in the height of its purity and glory, the religious enthusiasm, and, it may be said, the religious chivalry too of the times, is mentioned by all the historians; but by none in so impressive and affecting a manner as the charming and inimitable Froissart, whose dramatic and picturesque manner exhibits scenes as passing before you. I wish I had had a copy of Froissart with me, as I sat musing on a tomb-stone in the church-yard of Dumfermline, with my eyes fixed on the sepulchres of Robert Bruce, and many others of the Scottish kings. I have since seen Froissart's affecting description of that great prince's dying charge to Douglas, in Mr. Johnes's translation of Froissart, which enlivened my recollection of the old cathedral church and church-yard of Dumfermline, in a wonderful manner. Even the elegant narrative of Buchannan, in the purest and most classical Latin, fades and becomes languid before the livelier description of Froissart. As I doubt not but it will appear'

extremely interesting, I have subjoined it in a note, for the gratification of my readers.*

During this truce between England and Scotland, it happened that king Robert of Scotland, who had been a very valiant knight, waxed old, and was attacked with so severe an illness, (the leprosy) that he saw his end was approaching. He therefore summoned together all the chiefs and barons, in whom he most confided, and, after having told them, that he should never get the better of this sickness, he commanded them, upon their honour and loyalty, to keep and preserve faithfully and entire the kingdom, for his son David, and obey him and crown him king when he was of a proper age, and to marry him with a lady suitable to his station.

"He after that called to him the gallant lord James Douglas, and said to him, in presence of the others, my dear friend, lord James Douglas, you know that I have had much to do, and have suffered many troubles, during the time I have lived, to support the rights of my crown: at the time that I was most occupied, I made a vow, the non-accomplishment of which gives me much uneasiness.-I vowed, that if I could finish my wars in such a manner, that I might have quiet to govern peaceably, I would go and make war against the enemies of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the adversaries of the christian faith. To this point my heart has always leaned; but our Lord was not willing, and gave me so much to do in my life-time, and this last expedition has lasted so long, followed by this heavy sickness, that, since my body cannot accomplish what my heart wishes, I will send my heart instead of my body to fulfil my vow. And as I do not know any one knight so gallant or enterprising, or better formed to complete my intentions than yourself, I beg and intreat of you, dear and special friend, as earnestly as I can, that you would have the goodness to undertake this expedition for the love of me, and to acquit my soul to our Lord and Saviour; for I have that opinion of your nobleness and loyalty, that, if you undertake it, it cannot fail of success-and I shall die more contented: but it must be executed as follows:

"I will, that as soon as I shall be dead, you take my heart from my body, and have it well embalmed: you will also take as much money from my treasury, as will appear to you sufficient to perform your