58 THE BORDER ANGLER. 



Peebles itself two bridges span the river ; and below, 

 the eye follows an opening valley, with the ever- charm- 

 ing accompaniments of adjacent woods and a stately 

 stream. Nidpath Castle is a strong old tower, once 

 belonging to the Earls of Tweeddale, and some pretty 

 as well as warlike legends are connected with it. It 

 was formerly surrounded by fine woods, but when the 

 ownership of it passed to the wretched old vuluptuary, 

 the last Duke of Queensberry, who was so long a 

 scandal to the nobility of Britain, he felled the aged 

 trees, and let the castle sink into decay. Wordsworth, 

 in an indignant sonnet, has denounced the " degene- 

 rate Douglas" who was guilty of this disgraceful 

 treason to his lineage and his country. The castle 

 has since, as the property of the late and of the present 

 Earl of Wemyss, been merely the residence of a game- 

 keeper, and has been falling more and more into ruin; 

 but we have heard with pleasure that Lord Elcho, 

 whose patriotism and fine taste are so well known, has 

 lately taken steps for its preservation, if not for its 

 partial restoration. 



Manor- water joins the Tweed, from the south, about 

 two miles above Peebles. The Manor flows through a 

 quiet hilly glen, and is a capital stream for trout. It 

 is stated that at one time netters ravaged its waters, 

 sending the spoil to Edinburgh by the carriers ; but 

 we believe Lord Minto's Act has had a deterrent effect, 

 and we have heard of excellent sport being obtained 

 in it of late years. If the pedestrian angler wants to 

 take Peebles on his way to St. Mary's Loch and the 

 way by Peebles is indeed the most convenient he 

 must follow up the Manor to its source by a road that, 



