It would take a week, if I wrote half I saw or thought in Edinburgh, and I must close for to-day.
LETTER V.
PERTH .-- TRAVELLING BY COACH .-- LOCH LEVEN .-- QUEEN MARY .-- LOCH KATRINE .-- THE TROSACHS .-- ROWARDENNAN .-- A NIGHT ON BEN LOMOND .-- SCOTCH PEASANTRY.
Birmingham, September 30th, 1846.
I was obliged to stop writing at Edinburgh before the better half of my tale was told, and must now begin there again, to speak of an excursion into the Highlands, which occupied about a fortnight.
We left Edinburgh, by coach for Perth, and arrived there about three in the afternoon.

I have reason to be very glad that I visit this island before the reign of the stage-coach is quite over.

I have been constantly on the top of the coach, even one day of drenching rain, and enjoy it highly.

Nothing can be more inspiring than this swift, steady progress over such smooth roads, and placed so high as to overlook the country freely, with the lively flourish of the horn preluding every pause.

Travelling by railroad is, in my opinion, the most stupid process on earth; it is sleep without the refreshment of sleep, for the noise of the train makes it impossible either to read, talk, or sleep to advantage.