contrast to that spirit of bigotry which so long denounced religious distinction as a crime against the state, and made it a sufficient ground for persecution. The Academy is a handsome building, with class-rooms for five masters, besides the public hall, ornamented with a fine painting by an old Italian master, and a bust from the chisel of Westmacott. The Northern Institution, for the encouragement of literary and scientific pursuits, is among the recent proofs of that march of intellect, which is now so generally promoted over the whole kingdom, and no where with better judgment or more ennobling efforts, than among the enlightened citizens of Inverness. Numerous private schools and academies have also come in for their share in the great and important business of public education; and the most laudable exertions are employed by parents and teachers, to qualify the course of human study* with the purifying influence of religious instruction. Reading-rooms, chambers for county assemblies, and, in short, all the usual resources of a great capital, only on a smaller scale, are to be found in the city of Inverness. Within the last five or six years, the town has made a rapid advancement in all that contributes to the health and comfort of the inhabitants, and to the clean and cheerful appearance of the buildings. The streets have been newly paved with granite; the footpaths widened and laid with Caithness flag, a stone well adapted for the purpose; and the town exceedingly well lighted with gas. The public sewers have been deepened and carried under the streets and houses so as to sweep off every impurity, and preserve the town in a state of great salubrity. The public Hospital, erected in a pleasant and cheerful situation a short way out of the town, is supported by voluntary subscriptions only. It is extremely well conducted, and, we may add, highly deserving of support. Those wealthy individuals who annually resort for health to the mountains of Inverness, cannot better express their gratitude than by here contributing to that of its less fortunate inmates. Of the public walks, and the magnificent and varied prospects which they command, it is hardly possible to speak too highly. The banks of the Ness are bordered with a rich garniture of trees, embellished with numerous villas, and within a mile of the town the stream is divided into separate branches by a series of small islands luxuriantly wooded. Here, in ancient times, the city By the late Dr. BELL'S munificent bequest for the purposes of education in his native country, Inverness benefits to the amount of 10,000l. three per cent. consols, which is applied to the establishment of schools on his well-known system. Previously to this, a fund was left in 1803, by Captain Mackintosh, for the education of boys belonging to certain families of that name, and which now amounts to upwards of 25,000. The public charities are numerous, originating in legacies devised by philanthropic individuals. magistrates entertained the king's judges with rural feasts when they came to hold assize-courts. "Salmon, caught in the adjoining pool, formed the principal delicacy; while claret, brandy, and even the classic sack, flowed in plentiful libations among the guests." The surface of these islands is now intersected by pleasant walks, where the more refined citizens of the present day indulge the luxury of exercise and recreation. When the projected plan, of connecting these islands with the opposite banks by means of chain bridges, shall have been carried into effect-of which an earnest has been already given in the completion of one-Inverness and its precincts will have scarcely a rival within the limits of ancient Caledonia; even now it may challenge comparison with the finest cities in the kingdom. Every thing has been done for Inverness that can be effected by wood or cultivation; whilst, in a natural state, it unites the opposite qualities of a rich campaign with the wildest Alpine scenery-here interrupted, and there contrasted, in the most striking manner. The beautiful plain on which it stands-girdled with hills, variegated in shape and size, here projecting their rocky escarpments, there swelling in wooded cliffs, and interspersed with pleasing evidences of improved taste and increasing prosperity-presents one of the finest prospects in the kingdom. On the Crown, a rising ground to the east of the town, formerly stood an ancient castle, the nucleus of the burgh, where Macbeth is supposed to have resided when he perpetrated the murder of his sovereign. But on this point Shakspeare and the antiquaries are at variance; the latter having endeavoured to vindicate the castle from so foul a stain, by transferring it to a place in the vicinity. The version of the poet, however, will remain the more popular, and is too intimately associated with the drama to be overthrown by antiquarian arguments. This primitive fortress was razed by Malcolm Canmore, who built another on the eminence close by the river, which, after having served as a palace and fortress through a long line of royal descendants, was blown up by the insurgent forces in the last rebellion. The Castle-hill has been very recently embellished with a spacious new court-house, record-office, and county-rooms, to which, it is said, a jail, better accommodated to the different classes of prisoners, will be added. Down to "This castle hath a pleasant seat; the air Nimbly and sweetly recommends itself Unto our gentle senses. The guest of summer The temple-haunting martlet-doth approve Smells wooingly here."-MACBETH, Acti. Scene 6. the invasion of Edward I., Inverness was the frequent residence of the kings, whose presence was so often necessary to repel northern encroachments, and suppress the violence of faction at home. After the accession of Bruce, it was long held in despotic subjection to the constables of its own castle; while the constant inroads upon its territory, the heavy imposts levied upon its inhabitants, and its civil broils and battles with the neighbouring clans, rer der its early history replete with the disasters of a barbarous warfare, - Eminently adapted by nature as a seat of mercantile enterprise, Inverness appears to have been the early resort of those Flemish merchants who had their colonies on almost every shore where ships could receive or dispose of their lading. In proof of their Flemish origin, the old houses were erected with large courts, arched gateways, steep roofs, and gables turned towards the street; and, till the middle of last century, many of them were thatched with heath or straw. It is only within the last few years that the hanging balconies, round turnpike stairs, and towers projecting in front of the houses-features which gave several of the streets an appearance highly picturesque — have disappeared. Of the citadel, built by Cromwell, and dismantled at the Restoration, part of the ramparts still remains. For the erection of this fortress, England furnished the oak planks and beams, and Strath-glass the fir. The monasteries of Kinloss and Beauly, the bishop's castle of Chanonry, the Grey Friars' church, and St. Mary's chapel, in Inverness, supplied materials for the stone-work. It was built at the time when religious houses were converted into " stone quarries," when altars were demolished to erect the most humble domestic offices, and, in its turn, became a " quarry" for municipal improvement. Part of the house in which Queen Mary resided during her visit to Inverness, still exists. The object of this visit was to quell an insurrection raised by the earl of Huntly, whose lieutenant, the governor of the castle, she caused to be executed. Till the legislative measures of the disarming act were put in force, every Highlander, even at church, appeared as if equipped for battle-the dirk and pistols at his belt, and broadsword at his side. But does not every levee and drawing-room in the present day present a similar spectacle? So slow was the progress of fashion, and so cautiously were its maxims adopted by the ladies of Inverness, that, little more than sixty years ago, only three appeared at the High church in straw bonnets: but it may be added with great justice, that the ladies of Inverness need not the foreign aid of ornament.* The municipal authorities consist of a provost, four bailies, a dean of guild, |