Kings & rulers > More leaves from the journal of a life in the Highlands from 1862 to 1882

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as in former times), and I thought so much of all
dearest Albert would have done and said, and how he
would have wandered about everywhere, admired
everything, looked at everything—and now! Oh! must
it ever, ever be so?
At half-past two lunched (as at home) in the fine
dining-room. A lovely day. The view from the win¬
dows beautiful. The distant. Cheviot range with a great
deal of wood, Kelso embosomed in rich woods, with
the bridge, and the Tweed flowing beneath natural
grass terraces which go down to it. Very fine. It re¬
minded me a little of the view from the Phoenix Park
near Dublin.
At half-past five walked out with Lenchen and the
kind Duchess to a spot where I planted a tree,* and
then we walked on to the flower-garden, where there
are a number of very fine hot-houses, and took tea in
a pretty little room adjoining them, which is entirely
tiled. After this we took a pleasant drive in the fine
park which is full of splendid timber, along the Tweed,
and below the ruins of the celebrated old Castle of
Roxburgh, of which there is very little remaining. It
is on a high eminence; the Tweed and Teviot are on
either side of it, so that the position is remarkably
strong. It stood many a siege, and was frequently
taken by the English and retaken by the Scotch.
Scotch and even English kings, amongst them Edward II.,
held their Court there.
We came home at eight. The Duke and Duchess
* The gardener. Hector Rose, became head gardener at
Windsor in the spring of 1868, and died, alas! June 5, 1872, after
having filled his situation admirably.