KEOLDALE. 179 



fishing in the Hope would do, and there were rather too 

 many of us to remain at the Ferry, so we drove on a few 

 miles further to the house where we now are, on the shores 

 of Loch Eribol. We were very wet when we arrived, but 

 peat fires were soon blazing in all quarters, and articles 



which Mrs would have died sooner than have 



named, were speedily produced and jumped into. Oh, 

 what a scene is a regular shifting in a Highland inn after 

 a soaking day! We had a good dinner of its kind, and 

 soon after a few cups of tea, and we are now all occupied 

 in our various pursuits. 



" We retrace our steps a mile or two to-morrow, to try 

 the fishing in the river Hope." 



"Keoldale, 18th June 1834. 

 " I have just heard of an opportunity of sending off a 

 few lines this evening, so I embraced it to tell you how 

 comfortable we have been here for some days. We ar- 

 rived on Saturday night and this is Wednesday afternoon. 

 The party have been pretty active on the whole, although 

 the substantial cheer and cheerful converse of the evening 

 somewhat interfere with the sticking of our beetles and 

 other important operations. The morning dram is a source 

 of great merriment among the majority, although the 

 Doctor, as in duty bound, does not fail to protest against 

 such an abuse. 



