Ossian Collection > Journal of a tour in Scotland in

PERTH 49
Gow, a performer on the violin, of some
renown in these parts : Neil who was a person
privileged to say anything, replied, "They
may praise your braid roads that gains by
'em : for my part, when I'se gat a wee droppy
at Perth, I'se just as lang again in getting
hame by the new road as by the auld one."
On such occasions he could manage to keep
the road, but it was by a zig-zag course,
tacking always from one side of it to the
other. Much country on the way which has
been newly brought into cultivation and is
highly productive. Iron ploughs are common,
and I saw for the first time an iron turnpike
gate. I have seen more threshing machines
in the course of this journey than in all my
life before. A dirty dun colour seems to be
the prevailing colour of the cattle here. The
entrance into Perth is not favourable ; it is
however a good city. The Cathedral a poor
building ; the church of Flemish or Picard
character, modern and good in its kind.
Here I went in search of Edward Collins,
and was grieved to find that he had been
summoned to England on account of his
father's death. I saw his wife, her aunt Mrs
Wood, and Dr Wood, a delightful old man,
who gave me a most cordial greeting. I took
D