CH. XXXV. THE PLAID. 247 



ness as teacher of the various ways and shapes in 

 which its folds may be arranged both for pictur- 

 esque effect and for utility, he would be far more 

 deserving of encouragement than the five guinea 

 teacher of the " use of the fan." The great advan- 

 tage of a plaid over every other garment for the 

 pedestrian, traveller, or sportsman, on the moun- 

 tain side, is, that in sunshine and dry weather, 

 folded in a rope-like twist round the body, it is no 

 encumbrance, and can be so disposed as to be 

 entirely out of the wearer's way, however much he 

 may have occasion to use his arms. Should, how- 

 ever, a cutting blast or a cold rain come on, the 

 plaid can be made to perform well all the offices 

 of a cloak, either short or long, and one that will 

 completely keep out a shower of any moderate 

 duration. Very little rain is absorbed by a plaid 

 if of good materials, tolerably new, and well put 

 on. The drops run off the long wool ; it takes 

 a long time before it begins to soak through, and 

 an hour's breeze dries it again. 



I have shot through many a long day with a 

 plaid round me, without feeling in the slightest 

 degree encumbered by it, and knowing at the same 

 time that it was always at hand, like a friend in 

 need, to shelter myself and gun from the sudden 

 squalls of wind or rain which are so frequent on 



