from Govan (on our left) and others from the west-end of Glasgow. As the steamer proceeds, we have an excellent view of the shipbuilding yards on both sides of the river.

About two miles below Govan on the same side, is Shieldhall, and a little further down, on the right, Jordanhill, and Scotstown; whilst nearly opposite Scotstown, is the mansion of Elderslie. About thirty minutes sail from Glasgow brings us to Renfrew on the left bank of the river, one of the oldest burgh towns of Scotland, and which has the honour of giving a title to the Prince of Wales. After passing the pier we see Blythswood House (Sir Arch. Campbell, Bart), in the midst of a fine park, and surrounded by woods. A few miles from Renfrew, but distant from the river, is the village of Elderslie, in which is situated the reputed birth-place of Scotland's noblest hero, Sir William Wallace. The town of Paisley, with a population of 50,000, and noted for its woollen shawl manufactures, is about three miles up the river Cart. Opposite the junction of the river Cart with the Clyde, is the yard of Messrs. J. & G. Thomson, the builders of the "CLAYMORE," "COLUMBA" and the three "IONA's;" and on the same side, at Dalmuir, are the works of the Clyde Trustees.

The mansion we next pass, on the left, is Erskine House, erected by the late Lord Blantyre, who was unfortunately killed at Brussels, during the insurrection of 1830. Up till the middle of the seventeenth century the barony of Erskine was the ancient patrimony of the Earls of Mar, who took their family name from it, when surnames began to be adopted in Scotland. The river here widens out somewhat, assuming the appearance of a lake, and the scenery is worthy of attention. The heights forming the background to the north are the Kilpatrick hills. The steamer now approaches, on our right, Bowling, a place which the passengers can easily distinguish by the numerous vessels laid up in its harbour. At Bowling, the entrance of the Forth and Clyde Canal, which unites the east and west coasts of Scotland, can be seen. This canal, 34 miles in length, was begun in 1768, and finished in 1790, at a cost of £330,000.

A little beyond "Bowling Bay," on a promontory, is

Dunglass Castle, and on a conspicuous part of the rock stands an obelisk erected to the memory of Henry Bell, who originated steam navigation in Europe. This ruined Castle was anciently a seat of the Colquhouns of Colquhoun and Luss, and is believed by some antiquaries to be the point at which the Roman Wall began, and which extended to Caeridden on the Firth of Forth, a distance of 36 miles. This rampart of earth rested on a stone foundation, and was upwards of 20 feet high and 24 feet thick.

Both sides of the river now are beautifully wooded, and trains can be seen passing to and fro on either side; the Greenock railway on the left, and the railway for Helensburgh and Lochlomond on the right.

The high hill to our right is Dumbuck, and before us is Dunbarton Castle which figures prominently as well as picturesquely in most of the many good views of the brilliant scenery of the upper reach of the Firth of Clyde. The rock rises to a height of 260 feet, and measures a mile in circumference; 16 cannons are mounted on it, but it has only a very small garrison. Ossian, speaking of "Balclutha" which signifies, the town of the Clyde, and which he is supposed to have used as a poetic name for Dunbarton Castle, says—

"The thistle shakes there its lovely head,"

and curiously enough the true Scottish thistle, though really a rare plant in Scotland, still grows wild it is said on Dunbarton Rock.

The river Leven flows into the Clyde here from Lochlomond, and a little beyond, on a fine sloping bank, stands the mansion house of Helenslee (Peter Denny, Esq.). At the junction of the Leven with the Clyde, by looking in a northerly direction, on an ordinarily clear day, Benlomond can be seen distinctly. About four miles below Dunbarton, on the same side, is Cardross; and about three miles nearer Dunbarton, on a wooded knoll forming part of the farm known as Castle Hill, stood a favourite residence of Robert the Bruce, in which he died in 1329. We next come in view, on our left, of the old Castle of Newark, a large quadrangular building, and then we pass Port-Glasgow, built in 1668, by the

Greenock

merchants of Glasgow. Since the river was deepened its importance has declined very much. The principal business now is shipbuilding and timber importing. Here the first steamer in Europe, the "Comet," was built.

The second place of call is Greenock-Custom House Quay. Here we get our number of passengers increased; some from the London and North Western, and Caledonian Railways, and others from the town. Shipbuilding, engineering, and sugar refining, the principal trades of the town, are carried on very extensively, and the harbours and docks are thronged with vessels trading to all parts of the world. The population is about 60,000.

Leaving this the steamer makes for another calling Prince's Pier place at Greenock, Prince's Pier, where we take on board other passengers who have come by train over the Midland, and Glasgow and South Western system. There is an extensive sandbank off Greenock, and this part of it, called the Tail of the Bank, is the best anchorage ground in the Firth of Clyde. Amongst the numerous vessels which we see "brought to " here, there is usually one of H. M.'s ships of war, and the anchorage is at intervals visited by the home squadron of H. M.'s ironclad fleet, when the sight is very imposing. Looking right across, Helensburgh, a favourite watering place, is to be seen, as also the entrance to the Gareloch, where a large number of vessels periodically get their compasses adjusted. On the shores of this loch stands Roseneath Castle, one of the seats of the Duke of Argyll.

Steaming off from Prince's Pier, the steamer glides swiftly along, passing the fine Esplanade of the west end of Greenock and the "Battery Point," on which is Fort Matilda, mounted with 7 guns. Towering above it can be seen the Sailors Home, founded by Sir Gabriel Wood, a large and handsome building for aged and infirm merchant seamen. We next pass Gourock, the bay of which is a favourite anchorage for yachts. Gourock has easy access by tramway to Greenock, and many of the river steamers call at its pier. The west-end, and fashionable part of it, is called Ashton.

The scenery now increases in spaciousness, variety, and beauty-we have the Argyleshire hills in front, Lochlong to our right, with the summer resorts of