To the little vessels used by the northern rovers, the Buller may have
served as a shelter from storms, and perhaps as a retreat from enemies;
the entrance might have been stopped, or guarded with little difficulty,
and though the vessels that were stationed within would have been
battered with stones showered on them from above, yet the crews would
have lain safe in the caverns.

Next morning we continued our journey, pleased with our reception at
Slanes Castle, of which we had now leisure to recount the grandeur and
the elegance; for our way afforded us few topics of conversation. The
ground was neither uncultivated nor unfruitful; but it was still all
arable. Of flocks or herds there was no appearance. I had now travelled
two hundred miles in Scotland, and seen only one tree not younger than
myself.




BAMFF


We dined this day at the house of Mr. Frazer of Streichton, who shewed us
in his grounds some stones yet standing of a druidical circle, and what I
began to think more worthy of notice, some forest trees of full growth.

At night we came to Bamff, where I remember nothing that particularly
claimed my attention. The ancient towns of Scotland have generally an
appearance unusual to Englishmen. The houses, whether great or small,
are for the most part built of stones. Their ends are now and then next
the streets, and the entrance into them is very often by a flight of