110 SALMON FISHING IN THE TWEED 



I have seen that cottage converted into a picturesque 

 mansion, with every luxury and comfort attached 

 to it, and have partaken of its hospitality : the 

 unproductive hills I have viewed covered with 

 thriving plantations, and the whole aspect of the 

 country civilised, without losing its romantic char- 

 acter. But, amidst all these revolutions, I have 

 never perceived any change in the mind of him who 

 made them, "the choice and master-spirit of the 

 age." There he dwelt in the hearts of the people, 

 diffusing life and happiness around him : he made a 

 home beside the border river, in a country and a 

 nation that have derived benefit from his presence, 

 and consequence from his genius. From his 

 chambers he looked out upon the grey ruins of the 

 abbey, and the sun which set in splendour behind 

 the Eildon Hills. Like that sun, his course has 

 been run ; and though disastrous clouds came 

 across him in his career, he went down in unfading 

 glory. 



These golden hours, alas ! have long passed ; but 

 often have I visions of the sylvan valley, and its 

 glittering waters, with dreams of social intercourse. 

 Abbotsford, Mertoun, Chiefswood, Huntley Burn, 

 Allerley ! — when shall I forget you ? 



But, to our humble business. The swell of the 

 river had been trifling, and it would be fit to fish on 

 the morrow. The later in the day, said Walter the 

 Bold, the better ; so I fidgeted away the early part 

 of the morning, and hauled over my London tackle, 

 which proved unseemly to the sight of the Scotch- 

 man. The flies, he said, were dressed like dancing 

 dogs ; but my rod, he owned, was fine. 



