DUNBLANE MINERAL SPRING. -CALLENDer.

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The rebel army lost, on this melancholy occasion, the earl of Strathmore, Clanronald, and several persons of distinction. Panmure, and Drummond of Logie were among the wounded. Among the causes which the insurgent leaders assigned as an apology for their indecision, was the conduct of Rob Roy,* who, in the absence of his brother, commanded the M'Gregors, and on the day of battle kept aloof, waiting only for an opportunity to plunder.

The mineral spring, already noticed, is about two miles from the village of Dunblane, and was discovered about twenty years ago, by its having become the resort of pigeons, which flocked round the small pools formed by the water in its descent. It issues from two springs of various strength, and, in its medicinal qualities, which are found highly serviceable in general debility and dyspeptic cases, resembles the celebrated Pitkaithly. The climate of the place is mild and salubrious, and the district well sheltered by surrounding mountains. The scenery will recall the popular ballad, long known to all lovers of Scottish song, the "Flower o' Dunblane."

Resuming our route through the vale of the Teith, we advance through a pastoral district of sloping uplands and waving woods, with here and there features of the olden time and modern improvement rising in contrast before us. Of these, Lanrick Castle and Cambusmore-the former, the residence of the Baronet M'Gregor, and the latter, of John Buchanan, Esq., are princely seats, and in fine keeping with the scenery. Callender, the " Capital of the Trosachs," which has risen into importance in consequence of the celebrity conferred on the district by the genius of Scott, consists chiefly of a long row of houses flanking the road right and left-all slated and white-washed, and having the door and windowsashes painted green. It contains a neat church and school-house, and a large commodious inn. On the north the horizon is bounded by an imposing rampart of hills, sprinkled with trees, and presenting a bold, perpendicular front.

Bracklin Bridge, about twenty minutes' walk from the village, and the scene of the accompanying illustration, is one of the most remarkable of its kind. The cascade," Bracklin's thundering wave," consists of a series of minor falis, shelving rapids, and dark linns, formed by the torrent-stream of the Keltie, in its progress through a low, rugged chasm, dashing down a succession of horizontal ledges of rock, about fifty feet in height. In former times it was considered a trial of some skill and fortitude to pass this torrent by a narrow,

• Life of John, Duke of Argyll, p. 205. Struthers. History of the Rebellion, by Rae. Chambers. + The ingredients in a pint of the water, are:-Muriate of soda, twenty-four grains; muriate of lime, eighteen grains; sulphate of lime, three grains and a half; carbonate of lime, half a grain; with slight indications of iron.

alpine bridge-a tree thrown across the chasm; but this terror, though partly dissipated by the addition of a hand-rail, is still a giddy enterprise; and when the torrent is full, the scene is one that cannot but awaken something like the "sublimity of fear."

The plain of Bochastle, through which the river continues its serpentine course, is richly cultivated, finely sheltered with wood, and interspersed with cottages and villas, which afford pleasing evidence of the improved taste and increasing prosperity of the country. On the Dun, the remains of three mounds and ditches point out to the antiquary an interesting field of speculation. On either side of this eminence is a straight, artificial bank of earth, supposed to have been used in the practice of archery. To the westward, rising between the Teith and its mountain tributary the Lubnaig, Benledi takes possession of the scene. This gigantic landmark is upwards of three thousand feet in height; and in its Celtic name, Benledi, or the "Hill of God," recalls the ancient religious ceremonies observed on its summit. Here, as tradition reports, the people were accustomed to assemble during three successive days, annually, for the worship of Baal, or the Sun. Near the top, an iron ring was discovered towards the close of last century, attached by a staple to the rock, but for what purpose-unless for securing the victims-remains a question still open for discussion. Near this spot distinct traces of culture are still observable. On the same mountain is a small lake, called Lochan-an-Corp, a name commemorative of a melancholy catastrophe. While a funeral party from Glenfinlas were crossing it when frozen over, the ice suddenly gave way, and the whole company perished. It is an incident from which superstition derives fresh evidence in support of her creed.

Within the memory of the present generation, certain practices used to be observed in this neighbourhood, which would appear to be vestiges of druidical rites. On Bel, or Baal-tain, the 1st of May, it was customary for the boys to meet and cut a circular trench in some verdant spot, and then light a fire in the centre. At this fire, a sort of custard of eggs and milk was dressed, and an oatmeal cake prepared. When the first of these was disposed of, the cake was divided into pieces corresponding with the number of the guests; and one bit being blackened, the whole were thrown into a cap, from which each individual drew one. He who had the misfortune to fall upon the black piece, was the "victim" to be sacrificed to Baal, in order to propitiate his genial influence for a productive season.

* On All-Saints' eve, also, numerous bonfires were lighted, and the ashes of each collected into a circular heap, in which a stone was put near the edge for every person in the hamlet; and the individual