Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1850 edition. Excerpt: ... three days in arras in 1840. first day. A remarkable change has taken place within the last twenty years, as to a taste for pedestrian excursions among young men of rank and education. Some time ago it was quite customary for gentlemen to set out on foot to visit the romantic districts of our Highlands and islands, with no other accommodations in the way of dress than were contained in a knapsack or fishing-basket. The writings of Scott, Wilson, &c, aided by their example, no doubt tended greatly to create and keep alive this spirit; and it can as little be doubted, that the facilities in travelling afforded by steam-boats and coaches, have crushed it, and rendered the youth of the present day disinclined to, and unfit for, such continued feats of activity and hardihood. I am one of those who have enjoyed the pleasures of pedestrianism in a very high degree; and cannot help deploring the habits of indolence and effeminacy observable among young gentlemen in these modern times. So alive are they in general to the discomforts of blistered feet, a soiled dress, and a hard couch, that they can scarcely be prevailed upon to extend their rambles beyond the regions of silk stockings and feather beds, thereby depriving themselves of much that would at once tend to invigorate their bodies, and add to their knowledge of nature and of mankind. I have been induced to make these remarks in prefacing a notice of a three days' excursion to the island of Arran, --decidedly one of the most magnificent, and now one of the most accessible on the coast of Scotland. I left Ardrossan in the steam-packet the Isle of Arran, on Monday. This vessel leaves the said harbour daily at half-past ten A.m., and reaches Brodick generally in less than two hours. She is a..