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. when thirteenth months old; he was educated here by the celebrated Buchanan.  During the regency of Mary of Lorraine, a strong battery was erected here; and in the reign of Queen Anne, the fortifications were strengthened and enlarged.  In 1806, the rocky ground in front was converted into an esplanade; since which the towers have been repaired and castellated, it being one of the Scottish forts, which, by the articles of the Union, are always to be kept in repair.  It mounts about 36 guns; but if regularly invested in modern warfare, it could not hold out many hours.  To enumerate its sieges, dismantlings, and repairs would occupy too much space.  Among the most memorable of its stormy annals, is its siege by Edward II. in 1301, for three months, when it was battered with stones of two hundred pounds weight each, thrown by engines, in the formation of which was used all the lead from the monastery of St. Andrew’s.  It was last besieged in 1746 by the Highlanders under Prince Charles.  The chief parts of the building seen in the Panorama are the additions by Queen Anne, the parliament-house, (though not the unsightly, modern roof,) and the palace, a stately and curious structure of hewn stone, and embellished with grotesque sculpture.  The latter building forms a quadrangle, the central court of which is called the lion’s den, from the king’s lions being formerly kept there.  The whole is now used as barracks.  From the Castle, looking over the town, towards the east, is a vast plain, nearly 40 miles in extent, called the Carse of Stirling, through which the Firth in meandering, forms a number of peninsulas, in places approximating so closely as to have an isthmus of only a few yards, the effect of which in the picture, reminded us of the contrived intricacies of a child’s puzzle; in this direction is seen Alla, or Alloa, a thriving seaport town, with