LETTER I. PAGE Immensity of London—Voyage to Leith—Society of the Steam Packet—Analogy between Scotch and American manners—Strict observance of the Sabbath on board—Edinburgh—Unexpected recognition 11
LETTER II. Edinburgh—A Scotch Breakfast—The Castle—Palace of Holyrood—Queen Mary—Rizzio—Charles the Tenth 17
LETTER III. Dalhousie Castle—The Earl and Countess—Antiquity of their Family 23
LETTER IV. Sporting and Its Equipments—Roslin Castle and Chapel 28
LETTER V. “Christopher North”—Mr. Blackwood—The Ettrick Shepherd—Lockhart—Noctes Ambrosianæ—Wordsworth—Southey—Captain Hamilton and his Book on America—Professor Wilson’s Family, etc. 34
LETTER VI. Lord Jeffrey and his family—Lord Brougham—Count Flahault—Politics—The “Grey” Ball—Aberdeen—Gordon Castle 46
LETTER VII. Gordon Castle—Company There—The Park—Duke of Gordon—Personal Beauty of the English Aristocracy 52
LETTER VIII. English Breakfast—Salmon Fishery—Lord Aberdeen—Mr. McLane—Sporting Establishment of Gordon Castle 59
LETTER IX. Scotch Hospitality—Immense Possessions of the Nobility—Dutchess’ Infant School—Manners of High Life—The Tone of Conversation in England and America Contrasted 66
LETTER X. Departure from Gordon Castle—The Pretender—Scotch Character Misapprehended—Observance of Sunday—Highland Chieftains 73
LETTER XI. Caledonian Canal—Dogs—English Exclusiveness—English Insensibility of Fine Scenery—Flora Macdonald and the Pretender—Highland Travelling 80
LETTER XII. Invarenden—Tarbot—Cockney Tourists—Loch Lomond—Inversnade—Rob Roy’s Cave—Discomfiture—The Birthplace of Helen M’Gregor 87
LETTER XIII. Highland Hut, its Furniture and Inmates—Highland Amusement and Dinner—“Rob Roy,” and Scenery of the “Lady of the Lake” 94
LETTER XIV. Scottish Stages—Thorough-bred Setter—Scenery—Female Peasantry—Mary, Queen of Scots—Stirling Castle 101
LETTER XV. Scotch Scenery—A Race—Cheapness of Lodgings in Edinburgh—Abbottsford—Scott—Lord Dalhousie—Thomas Moore—Jane Porter—The Grave of Scott 108
LETTER XVI. Border Scenery—Coachmanship—English Country-seats—Their Exquisite Comfort—Old Customs in High Preservation—Pride and Stateliness of the Lancashire Gentry—Their Contempt for Parvenues 118
LETTER XVII. English Cordiality and Hospitality, and the Feelings awakened by it—Liverpool—Uncomfortable Coffee-house there—Travelling Americans—New York Packets—The Railway—Manchester 125