O! grander far than Windsor's brow! And sweeter to the vale below! Whar Forth's unrivalled windings flow Through varied grain, Brightening, I ween wi' glittering glow, Strevlina's plain! There, raptured trace, (enthroned on hie) The landscape stretching on the ee, Frae Grampian hills down to the sea-- A dazzling view-- Corn, meadow, mansion, water, tree, In varying hue. There, seated, mark, wi' ardour keen, The Skellock bright 'mang corn sae green, The purple pea, and speckled bean, A fragrant store-- And vessels sailing, morn and een, To Stirling's shore. And Shaw park, gilt wi' e'ening's ray: And Embro castle, distant grey; Wi' Alva screened near Aichil brae, 'Mang grove and bower! And rich Clackmannan rising gay Wi' woods and tower. _Hector Macneill._ Stirling is seated on the river Forth, upon a precipitous basaltic rock, about one hundred feet from the level of the plain. Upon the rock stands the Castle, from the outer court of which the present Panorama was sketched. The town, in external appearance, bears a miniature resemblance to Edinburgh, being situate like the old town of that city, on the sloping ridge of a rock, running from east to west, the precipitous end of which is occupied by the Castle. But, of the town itself, little is seen in the Panorama. The view, as we have stated, is from the Castle, and is generally allowed to be one of the finest in Scotland. Its scenery has many sublime and picturesque features, and has moreover been the site of some of the most stirring incidents in Scottish history; no less than twelve fields of battle, including three important ones fought by the first and second Edwards, being distinctly visible. Beginning with the Castle, we find, from its situation commanding the passes and fords between the north and south of Scotland, it was in early times styled the Key, as Dumbarton was the Lock, to the Highlands. Its first fortification is referred to the time of Agricola; the Picts had a strong fortress here, which was totally destroyed in the ninth century by the Scots, under Kenneth II. Stirling formed part of the ransom of his brother and successor, who had been taken prisoner by the Northumbrians; they rebuilt the Castle, but subsequently restored the place to the Scots. In the twelfth century, it was considered one of the strongest forts in Scotland. It was often visited by the Scottish monarchs, but it did not become a royal residence until the accession of the Stuarts. Here was born James II., and in an apartment now forming part of the deputy-governor's lodging, this king perpetrated the murder of Earl Douglas. James III. made it his chief residence, erected the parliament-house, and a richly-endowed chapel, since destroyed. James V. was crowned here, and erected the palace. Mary was crowned here, as was James VI.