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much indeed. She might go on for half an hour more at any rate, and then if she felt tired she could turn.

Mrs. Morelle determined to follow this suggestion, and the result was, that she persevered until she reached the top.

The wind blew very fresh and cool upon the summit, and the party could not remain there long. While they did remain, however, they were filled with wonder and delight at the extent and sublime magnificence of the view. The mountains lay all around them, clothed with a velvet-like covering of the softest green, and between them lay an endless number and variety of lakes and rivers-all sleeping apparently in the sun-and green fields, and pretty villages, and charming glens, in endless variety.

After remaining upon the mountain for about fifteen minutes, they all set out upon their return. They of course came down the path very easily, and getting into the dog-cart, when they reached the foot of the descent, they were driven very rapidly back to the inn.

verness.

CHAPTER XII.

THE CALEDONIAN CANAL.

THE route of the steamer from the foot of Ben Nevis to Inverness, lies along a remarkable chain of lakes, that occupy a long and narrow valley extending through the very heart of Scotland, in a direction from southwest to northeast, and reaching from the base of Ben Nevis to InThe line of these lakes is easily to be seen upon the map. In a state of nature the lakes were connected by rapid streams flowing from the center lake, which is the highest, down through the others each way to the sea. But though the lakes themselves were navigable, the streams were not. Many years ago, however, as has already been intimated, deep channels were cut along these streams, and locks made whereever there was an ascent or descent, so as to form a navigable communication through the whole distance, which received the name of the Caledonian canal.

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Mrs. Morelle and her party, remained a day or two at the foot of Ben Nevis, taking little ex

cursions in the environs, and exploring for a few miles, in various directions, the glens which open around the mountain. On the morning of the third day, they took the steamer again, at a place called Banavie, where there was a large and beautiful hotel, standing almost by itself in a wild and beautiful place, and surrounded by gardens and ornamental grounds. A great many of the best inns and hotels in Scotland, stand thus in secluded places, entirely apart from the towns, being intended altogether for the accommodation of tourists journeying for pleasure, and being placed accordingly in the localities where it is supposed to be most convenient or most agreeable for such travellers to stop.

By having rested from the steamer two days, the children were well prepared to return to it again, and they had a delightful passage along the canal. Sometimes they found themselves sailing in a very narrow channel which had been excavated artificially, to connect one lake with another. Next they would come to a chain of locks, by means of which the steamer was to be raised up, or let down, from one level to another; and while the lockmen were engaged in this operation, which always required some time, the passengers would step out upon the embankment, and ramble about the neighborhood, or

walk on to the next lock, with a view of getting on board again when the steamer came to it. Then at length, suddenly the steamer would emerge from the narrow and artificial channel into one of the lakes, and would glide swiftly on from one end of it to the other, between the lofty ranges of mountains which bordered it on either hand.

In all cases, the course of the steamer was so near to the shore, that all the features of the scenery could be very distinctly seen, and it was an endless source of amusement to the children to watch the changes which were continually taking place, and to explore every hidden recess of the landscape, and examine every detail with the glass. They saw the sheep feeding on the mountain sides, watched by the shepherd and his dog, and the cottages, with Highland children, dressed in the kilt, playing at the doors, and now and then an elegant travelling carriage moving along the road at the margin of the water.

There were a great many mists and clouds floating over the mountain tops, and these increased toward the middle of the day. For a time the effect of these clouds was only to add an additional feature of grandeur to the scenery, by the magnificent forms which the stupendous

masses of vapor assumed on the summits of the mountain chains, and the mysterious and solemn gloom which they seemed to impart to the deep valleys, by hanging over them in heavy folds, like those of a curtain, and diffusing through the recesses which they half concealed, a dark and impenetrable gloom. Florence said that she could not decide whether she liked the mountains best when full in view, or when half covered with clouds.

"Only it is raining

"Nor I," said Grimkie. from some of those clouds. All I am afraid of is, that one of them may come and rain upon

us."

Grimkie's fears were destined to be realized. In a short time it began to rain upon the deck of the steamer. Some of the passengers, especially the ladies, hastily gathering up their maps, and guide books, and travelling bags, went below. Others drew themselves into as compact a mass as possible, and spreading an umbrella over their heads, kept their seats. Some gentlemen put on India rubber coats, which they seemed to have ready at hand, and went on walking up and down the deck just as before. One of the men belonging on board the steamer came up from below, and took up all the cushions which were not in use, and carried them

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