POLLUTION OF THE NORTH ESK. 193 



local one, because it referred to all the rivers in the county, in- 

 cluding the Water of Leith. He thought it a matter of public 

 interest, and one which, as a County, they ought to take up. 



" The Duke of Buccleuch said he also looked on this not as 

 ft local, and still less as a personal question. It was a matter 

 of serious inconvenience to a large body of the people that the 

 water should have become so unfit for use ; it was a matter that 

 affected their personal health and comfort. 



" On the motion of Sir W. Johnston, the subject was remitted 

 to the General Committee." 



This is a miserable condition for a classic stream like 

 the Esk to be reduced to ; and these facts are sufficient 

 of themselves to suggest the necessity for the autho- 

 rities to use every vigilance and precaution to prevent 

 any of the Border- streams that yield tribute to the 

 Tweed from being similarly spoiled. No exertion 

 ought to be spared to enforce such preventives as will 

 keep the Teviot from becoming a huge and offensive 

 ditch. Cost and care, so long as they do not actually 

 become incompatible with the existence of the factories? 

 ought to be no element in the question of keeping our 

 Border- waters pure and sweet. 



The upper waters of the Esks, however, above the 

 mills, have still abundance of trout. The sources of 

 South Esk are in the Moorfoot Hills ; and Gladhouse- 

 water, Moorfoot-burn, and Gore-water, have all pools 

 containing numbers of trout (though not of large size), 

 and may be fished successfully after a flood. They are 

 all attainable from Gorebridge, Fushie-bridge, or Tyne- 

 head station. They lie high, however, and the trout 

 are late in getting into condition. We have heard of 

 heavy baskets being taken out of Gore-water with the 

 worm in summer. The far-famed Borthwick Castle, 

 a huge double tower in good preservation, stands on a 



o 



