the summer and autumn it is always crowded, and the most fashionable ladies have been frequently known to sleep on the staircase, and even in the haylofts-and not a bad place either. I know I have had many a happy snooze in such a place, but I won't say when. In fact, it's so long since, I think I am entitled to say I have forgotten. The property in this neighbourhood belongs to Lord Willoughby D'Eresby, who, I think very injudiciously, will not allow any more inns to be built upon his property; consequently there is no opposition, nor any regulation of prices, to bring things to a reasonable standard. From the freshness of the mountain air, the consumption of viands indicates the keenness of the visitors' appetites, which is certainly pretty considerable. The breakfast is en table d'hôte, and it is not an unusual thing to see delicate young ladies cracking with avidity their third egg.

Our next trip was to St. Mary's Loch, about sixteen miles south of Peebles. The only inn in that wild district is the "Gordon Arms," a comfortable-looking farmhouse of a place, kept by an old man and his son, who live with their families both under one roof. Their names are Turnbull (or, as it is pronounced in Scotland, Trummle). This will be found a most comfortable resting-place. The landlords of this primitive inn do not profess to dress regular dinners; but, after preparing a most delicious breakfast, consisting of all kinds of substantials and delicacies, turn the sportsman out for the day, to pursue his pastime ; and, when evening brings him home laden with his piscatorial spoils, he returns to "encore ditto repeated" of the same substantial provender, viz., bread and bannocks, so highly celebrated throughout Scotland, together with the never-failing resource of ham and eggs, honey, and the beautiful Yarrow trout, fried or broiled in a style that would not disgrace more pretending cuisines. Everything here, which is served in certainly a rough and primitive style, continually reminds the tourist that he is "far awa'" from old England. Even the sugar basin, which consists of the commonest white crockery, embellished with flowers of the most impossible shapes and hues, is not exempt from the general originality which pervades the whole scene, and is ornamented with the following inscription-" Be canny with the sugar.' The beds at this place are good and free from bugs, and there is very good accommodation for horses, and a lock-up coach house. The country here is entirely destitute of timber, but it is the finest sheep-pasture in Scotland, and presents to the eye a series of swelling hills, opening into endless vistas, covered with white flocks, and here and there the picturesque figure of an old shepherd, wrapped in his black and white plaid, supported by his staff, and accompanied by that never-failing friend his colly dog. The silvery windings of the Yarrow complete the solitary beauty of the scene; and, as one wonders over each rising hill, you almost expect to come suddenly upon a party of the old Covenanters, who so fearlessly maintained the independence of their religion against persecutors, and conducted their simple and primitive worship under heaven's blue canopy amongst these valleys.

Leaving the "Gordon Arms," and proceeding up the Yarrow to St. Mary's Loch, distant about three miles, we come to Altrive-a lovely white cottage, presented by the Duchess of Buccleugh to James Hogg, the Ettrick shepherd, whose name is associated with every valley and stream in Ettrick, Yarrow, and Tiviotdale, rendering them classic

ground; and one cannot wonder that, nurtured among scenes like these, he should have been inspired with his beautiful poem of “ Bonny Kilmeney," and his spirit-stirring tales of the Covenanters. Hogg was an enthusiastic fisherman and sportsman in general, and thought that it was indeed time for him to retire from this world, when he was too infirm to cast his fly or pull his trigger.

Proceeding onwards about two miles and a half, St. Mary's Loch suddenly opens to the view, embosomed amongst the endless succession of pasture hills already described. It is a lovely smooth sheet of water, most picturesquely situated; and on its banks is found a profusion of that beautiful, and elsewhere rather uncommon flower, "Græcia Parnassus." The Meggat flows into this loch, and the Yarrow out of it. At the head of this piece of water is situated an old and picturesque burying ground, where many of the old Lowland families have found their last peaceful rest. It has a singular and solemn effect to find the last earthly resting-place of the dead so far removed from the haunts of the living.

And now we come to the beau ideal of mountain accommodation for the fisherman. At the junction of St. Mary's Loch, on a small isthmus which joins that piece of water to the loch of the Lowes, dwells one Mistress Tibbie Shiels, in a small hut or cottage. Here you get every accommodation, in a humble way, but most "beautifully clean," and served up by the most kind and attentive of hostesses that the sportsman can desire. The fodder for man is, as usual, the old bill of farewhiskey, scones, honey, ham and eggs, tea and bannocks, milk, &c. Tibbie has a very cunning way of evading the gaugers, and manages to dispose of her whiskey at the best of profits without the expense of a licence. On the tourist asking for whiskey, she replies that she does not keep any for sale, but she would not mind letting him have a drap out of her own bottle that evening. For this, of course, no charge is made in the bill; but Tibbie is open to, and expects a consideration, which, in general, far outweighs the value of the liquor. Here we recreated ourselves for two days, and had, I assure you, most excellent sport, not only with the trout, but also in trolling for pike and perch, with which the water abounds. The trout in the Yarrow are particularly fine, and delicious in flavour, and are not exposed to the destructive net and "double rod" of poachers, as in the Tweed.

I must now conclude for the present; and as I hear that the salmon are beginning to show themselves in the Tweed in considerable numbers, I must relinquish my goosequill for the taper rod, and see if I cannot manage to procure a brace or so of "out-and-outers," which I will order to be dried and smoked in the best style that these parts are so celebrated for, and order them to be packed up and forwarded to you. Adieu. Peebles, July 2, 1846.

ם.

Next to hunting I should place shooting, which is not only a most delightful and exciting recreation, but one which tends greatly to keep the body free from those "ills that human flesh is heir to. I could quote a hundred authorities, ancient and modern, to bear me out in my assertion; but as all my sporting readers will, I have no doubt, feel the truth of what I have stated, I shall at once proceed to my task of entering upon a subject that has so often and so ably been written uponthenoble science" of the gun.

September is now ushered in, and the "gunner" prepares for the field. His “Manton" is got ready; and, like an anxious schoolboy, he counts the hours until the first of the month arrives, when he may commence his all-absorbing sport.

With regard to game, it may always be remarked that when the season is dry in May and June there will be an abundance of birds; while, on the contrary, heavy rain during the period of laying will addle or chill their eggs. If the weather keeps fine until about ten days after incubation, the chick becomes formed, and is not so easily annihilated. The same observations may also apply to the pheasant. The propagation of the hare, to a certain extent, is not affected by the weather as with winged game. With regard to the fox, there can be no doubt that were it not for the game preservers-who, unfortunately, too often may be termed "vulpecides"there would always be a plentiful supply of this gallant animal; for taking an average of sixty brace of foxes killed by each pack throughout England, it would only require a dozen vixens to keep up the breed. Less than four cubs are seldom produced, sometimes more. With a good understanding, however, between the foxhunter and the pheasant-shooter, each may indulge in his respective sports; and I sincerely hope that every feeling of jealousy will give way in both their breasts, and that but one sentiment will remain there—that of a wish to promote sport in all its branches. But to our immediate subject, which I shall commence with a few practical hints.

Every man has a peculiar way of bringing his gun up to his shoulder, and of taking aim; and each follows his own fancy with regard to the length of his stock. I shall therefore pass over this part of the subject, and proceed to lay down certain principles for shooting, which do not depend upon the whim of the sportsman. Those who are well expe

rienced in the field, know that it is more usual to shoot below the mark than above it; great care, therefore, must be taken in elevating the muzzle to a proper height, so as to cover well the bird; and in a cross shot, whether it be flying or running, you must take aim before the object, or you will inevitably miss it if on the wing; and if a rabbit or hare, you will probably only graze its buttocks. Due allowance, however, must be made for the distance of the object at the time of firing; for instance, should a pheasant, partridge, quail, woodcock, or wild duck fly across at some thirty or five-and-thirty paces, it will be sufficient to take aim at the head; whereas should the game be some fifty or sixty paces distant, at least half a foot a head is necessary. The same system should be adopted in shooting at a hare or rabbit when running in a cross direction, due allowance being made for the distance and pace. If a hare runs in a straight line, you should take your aim between the ears, or you may hardly reckon upon killing clean, and always bear in mind that that ought to be the first object of a true sportsman. If you fire at random, breaking the wing of a partridge or the thigh of a hare, be assured that you will not only be denounced as a thorough-bred cockney, a regular "muff," but will probably never again be invited to shoot over your friend's preserves. Many will spin you wonderful yarns of the number of paces at which they have shot game, and I do not deny that I have seen hares and birds killed at almost incredible distances; but, remember, they are the exceptions to the rules; and it will be generally found that some chance shot has struck a vital part, while the charge itself has been scattered to the winds.

In order to acquire the art of shooting flying, many tyros commence with practising at swallows, and perhaps it assists the young beginner in getting his gun up handy to his eye. Still the flight of these birds is so irregular and so unlike that of game, that I should almost advise pigeons or sparrows from traps in preference. With the latter it will be as well to affix a small piece of white paper round their necks, which will not only cause them to fly less rapid and more regular, but will also give a better aim to the aspiring gunner. Let some four or five of these birds be put into traps, and let the budding sportsman walk up to them not knowing from which his game is to rise, and it will teach him not only to be quick, but to get his hand and eye in. After a few lessons of this sort, a quiet morning with a steady gamekeeper, at actual game, is necessary, for nothing but practice can get over the flurry which the beginner invariably experiences at the rising of a covey, or the whirring noise of the pheasant. Then let him bring all his theory to bear; which added to constant practice, will soon make the learner an accomplished shot. When he is sufficiently advanced to shoot in company, let him remember the following golden rules :-Never take a shot from your neighbour; although, should he be a bungler, be always prepared with a barrel to give the coup de grace. Never walk with the muzzle of your gun pointed except towards the ground or to the sky. Always uncock your weapon in crossing a ditch, or getting through a fence, or over a gate. After firing one barrel, never fail to ram down the other, as the charge may have got loose. Never load one barrel with the other cocked, or the ramrod down it. In cover shooting be particularly careful to ascertain where your companions, beaters, and dogs are, so as not to mistake them for game. Always unload your own gun, or see it done

yourself. Keep your powder and copper caps dry. Never put your hand or arm over the muzzle of a gun, or lean over it. Never blow into the barrel of a gun; and always treat it as if it was loaded, for no sooner does an accident take place than the first exclamation is, "I had no idea it was loaded." Never take a loaded gun into a house: I remember hearing of one of Lord Anglesey's brothers walking across the hall, at Goodwood, with both barrels loaded, and the cocks down; in a second, without any apparant reason, both went off, and might have caused considerable havock; fortunately no one was in the hall at the time. Be particularly careful where you keep your powder, for housemaids and children will poke their noses into cupboards and drawers with lighted candles. Never fire near a hay-rick or any out-buildings. Whenever you come to a difficult pass, such as a large ditch, stiff fence, high gate, stone wall, or very thick cover, take off your copper caps. In the event of your ramrod sticking fast in your gun, do not allow a clod to try to extract it with his teeth, but having removed the cap, force the ramrod home by knocking the end of it against a tree. To these I will add two maxims, the one from Hawker, the other from Daniel. The Colonel thus writes:-"Never suffer a gun at any time to be held for a moment so as to be likely to come in the direction of either man or beast." And the author of "Field Sports" gives the following excellent advice :—“In shooting with a stranger, who perhaps keeps his gun cocked, and muzzles usually pointed to the left, plead for the right hand station, and urge that you cannot hit a bird flying to the left: with a gamekeeper take the right hand without ceremony.

In an open country give me the pointer; in a covert one the setter would best answer my views; and were I confined to one class, I should select the latter as being generally the most useful" dogs of all work.” In using the setter it must always be borne in mind, that there must be plenty of water in the country, for without that he will scarcely get through a good day's work. With regard to your gun, there are so many good makers in the present day that I scarcely know to whom to yield the palm. Manton, Egg, Moore, Lancaster, Nork, Purdy, and last, not least in my estimation, Westley Richards, are all first-rate workmen. If money was of no object, perhaps I should be disposed to patronize the first of the names I have given; whereas if economy was the order of the day, then give me the latter, who, through his agent, Mr. Bishop, of Bond-street, will turn out as good a weapon as sportsman ever handled.

Having now slightly touched upon dogs, guns, and the best manner of handling the latter, I shall proceed to offer a few remarks upon the different sorts of shooting that can be enjoyed in our sea-girt island.

Letter A, No. 1, then, is woodcock shooting, which has been most aptly called the fox-hunting of the trigger; and certainly there are few more exciting sports than a day with the "long bills." The eagerness of your pursuit after this migratory bird, the exhilarating cry of "mark a cock!" the hope that if you chance to miss, he may be marked down again, the babbling of the spaniels when again upon his haunt, the care with which you take your second shot, and your triumph in bagging your trophy, are most gratifying to the heart of a true sportsman, and remind him not a little of a good day with