3o6 Four-m-Hand i7i Britain. 



can waste on a collie dog ever been justly fathomed ? was 

 a question raised to-day ; but our ladies declined to enter- 

 tain it at all unless "waste" was changed to "bestow." 

 The amendment was accepted. Many stories were told 

 of these wonderful pets, and what their mistresses had 

 done for them. My story was a true one. Miss Nettie 

 having to go abroad had to leave her collie in some one's 

 care. Many eligible parties had been thoughtfully can- 

 vassed, when I suggested that, as I had given her the 

 dog, it might be perfectly safe to leave him with me, or 

 rather with John and the horses. A grave shake of the 

 head, and then, " I have thought of that, but have given 

 it up. It would never do. Trust requires a woman s 

 care." Not a smile, all as grave as if her pet had been a 

 delicate child. "You are quite right," I replied; "no 

 doubt he would have a dog's life of it at the stable." 

 She said yes, mournfully, and never suspected a joke. 

 In a stable in New York I once saw a doctor's card 

 nailed up. Inquiry revealed that this gave the coach- 

 man the address of the physician who was to be called 

 in case the lady's dog should be taken ill during her 

 absence. If the ladies must go wild over some kind of 

 a dog, let it be a collie. I like them myself a little. 



It was gloaming ere we reached Loch Ericht, twelve 

 hundred and fifty feet above the sea. What a wild, sol- 

 itary country it is around us ! The lake lies as it were 

 in the lap of the mountains. It is easy to believe that 

 this was a famous Highland stronghold in the olden 



