[2] This designation has been given to a spot in the Valley of the
creek, where formerly stood a hollow sycamore (platanus
occidentalis) tree of an enormous size, the remains of which
are still to be seen, and in the cavity of which, whilst it
stood, fifteen persons are said to have encamped at the same
time together.

[3] Out-liers of any particular ridge.

[4] Physical Geography, book viii.

* * * * *


THE LATE SIR WALTER SCOTT.

(_From the Note Book of a Tourist_.)

In the summer of 1829, I made a Tour of the Borders. On the 16th of
August, I arrived in Melrose. I came on the top of the coach from
Jedburgh, in company with two intelligent fellows, a young Englishman of
fortune (apparently,) and a Russian nobleman. We put up at the George,
where we found about five tourists, redolent of sketch and note books,
drinking toddy and lying in wait to catch a sight of the lion of the
neighbourhood, Sir Walter. The voracity with which they devoured any
anecdotes of him was amusing. In the evening it came on a peppering
storm. I had foreseen this on our route from _Jeddart_. The Eildons
had mounted their misty cap, always a sure prognostic of rain; in fact
they are the barometer of the district. I then prevailed on my two