Memorials of John Geddes

Evening of Cite.
belonging to his native parish — one of the most pleasing
spots in respect of situation and surroundings and old
associations that northern Scotland can show. Above, we
discern the frowning crags of the Succoch, and over both
kirkyard and glen there seems to brood a spirit of
pastoral or rather Ossianic melancholy, for the spot lies
secluded among the alders and hazels fringing a fine reach
of the Deveron, which murmurs or gurgles sweetly along
as if joyous at having escaped from the dark gorge beneath
the Castle of Beldorney. The place is thus one of quiet
peace in a lonely glen, with memories stretching back into
the early Celtic times, and it was, therefore, with touching
significance that the blind old man used upon occasion to
rehearse the words of the sightless Celtic bard as appro-
priate to himself and descriptive of the spot where he
desired to find his final resting place :
" O lay me, ye that see the light, near some rock of my hills ;
Let the thick hazels be around j let the rustling oak be near.
Green be the place of my rest ; let the sound of the distant torrent be heard."
(Inis-thona.)
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