244 LOCH CRERAfr. 



loved to insert in the model landscapes that delighted 

 the wondering eyes of our youth. Near at hand the 

 masses of rushes are black on the soaking reaches of the 

 shoulders of the hills, and the new black heads and 

 stems of gay " Highlanders' bonnets " stand starkly out 

 against the grey and yellow ochre, picked out with silver, 

 of the rain-wearied meadow hay. Nearer still the cup- 

 mosses and hepaticae are exceptionally green, and scarce 

 a post by path or stream but carries a gracefully curving 

 arrangement of delicate edged fungi, that declare as 

 boldly as any meteorological register that the season has 

 been most unquestionably " moist," to say the very least 

 of it. Along the hillsides the most distinguished figures 

 are the holly trees, richly green, and having apparently 

 repaired the breach made in their costumes in the early 

 spring, when so many lost their leaves. All evergreens, 

 indeed, are unusually fresh ; and, with no northern 

 visitors to speak of among the bays of Loch Creran or 

 Etive, we fear the winter will be again " open," which 

 means stormy and wet. 



" Hope springs eternal in the human breast," and 

 although we have again and again failed to enjoy a quiet 

 time with the dredge on Loch Etive, we last week made 

 a further attempt in the midst of the usual wind and rain, 

 whbh we have come to consider especially Loch Etive 

 weather. We cannot return empty-handed again, and 

 say that the Demon from Cruachan Ben presides over 

 the waters, and guards them from prying eyes ; else we 

 would much rather sit in the charming home amid the 

 pines, far above and yet alongside the waters, with art 

 striving to surpass in perfection the natural beauty 

 around, and 



Steam is up ! the little vessel at our service, and we 



