RESULTS OF A RESIDENCE AT FOCHABERS. 109 



of course, and what a cold look it had that spring morning ! 

 No fire, except a single gaslight just turned on, by which 

 you might discern through the dimness that the walls were 

 ornamented with sea views, landscapes, medallions of painters 

 and a huge Britannia, her anchor and lion enjoying the space 

 over the mantelpiece. To go to bed was out of the question, 

 so I threw myself down on a sofa all of a shiver, and I re- 

 member, whilst I lay half asleep, opening my eyes very wide 

 and wondering whether Britannia had crept therefor warmth. 

 Rembrandt, Jameson, Titian, Paul Veronese, Volterra (at least 

 they were named thus),and several others, seemed to have their 

 eyes all directed to where she was seated, no doubt longing 

 to be of the party, especially poor Wilkie, who looked "very 

 blue" from cold. But I dozed off amidst confused ideas of 

 having Britannia opposite to me enjoying the luxury of a 

 first-class carriage, some of the painters taking out a ticket 

 for the lion, and two or three others making sundry futile 

 attempts to dispose of the anchor. I am sure I had not 

 been as I thought more than ten minutes asleep, until 

 another shake, and a voice announced to me my time was 

 up. I mounted the roof — the horn sounded — and after 

 seven hours " heavy work" I was set down at the " Gordon 

 Arms." 



What a conspicuous part this sign plays throughout the 

 whole of this district ; scarcely a town or village but has 

 its " Gordon Arms," and that of course leads to the 92nd 

 Highlanders. There is Mr. So-and-So, vintner, late of that 

 regiment — perhaps a piper. 



What a beautiful piece of country surrounds this clean 

 but quaint looking village. Were it not for the mountains 

 up the Strath one might fancy oneself in the very heart of 

 " merrie England." The mountains are a long distance off, 

 and the interval is filled up, not with great heaths, things of 

 such common occurrence in the north, but with richly cul- 



