278 THE LAST SUMMERS AND WINTERS. 



weather on the whole, and one or two cold and stormy 

 days which covered all the summits of the great moun- 

 tains with snow, and accorded well enough with the deso- 

 late grandeur of the district, but scarcely suited peram- 

 bulation on the part of the ladies, or even of elderly 

 gentlemen, like certain of the party. However, the thing 

 went off well. There was some enjoyment out of doors, 

 and a good deal of idle fun and cheerfulness within. We 

 found char in Loch Dochart of which I was not pre- 

 viously aware. Caught lots of trout, and a couple of 

 salmon weighing about forty-five pounds the two. Either 

 of them would have pulled a Westmoreland angler into 

 the water — 



' Poor is the triumph o'er the timid parr.' 



Henrietta and I walked one day down to Killin and back, 

 and explored the beauties, which are great and manifold, 

 of the head of Loch Tay. We returned as we went, via 

 Loch Lomond, &c. I think my brother better on the 

 whole; but when in town he scarcely ever leaves the 

 house, and this confinement is bad for him. There are 

 several suburban places close at hand in the occupation 

 of members of his own family, where he would be welcome ; 

 but he will not move. Your men of genius are not always 

 reasonable creatures in their everyday doings; and there 

 would be little harm in this, if they would allow them- 



