248 EXTRACTS FROM NOTE-BOOKS. CH. XXXV. 



the mountains during the autumn. When you are 

 seated in a pass, waiting for roe, the trusty plaid is 

 a most valuable friend ; or when waiting for wild 

 duck or swan, it covers you and your dog from the 

 shower of sleet or snow which would otherwise 

 frequently oblige you to wend your way home- 

 wards, perhaps at the very moment when your 

 chance for shots was the best. 



The shepherd makes use of his plaid not only 

 as a protection against cold and wet, but also as a 

 pocket or bag in which to carry anything or every- 

 thing he may wish to take with him : one end being 

 sewed up, although it does not take away from the 

 general utility of the garment, forms a pocket of 

 wondrous capacity, in which, without inconvenience 

 to the wearer, no small amount of weight and bulk 

 may be carried. The weakly lamb often is taken 

 home in this warm receptacle, while the anxious ewe 

 follows, bleating incessantly, but apparently with 

 perfect confidence in the good intentions of her 

 master. In fact its uses are endless ; and those, 

 and those only, know its real value who have 

 thoroughly learnt how to put it on, so as to suit 

 all weathers, all states of the atmosphere, and, 

 above all, the direction and the power of the wind. 



A good plaid is not, however, always to be 

 bought at a shop ; and unless the wool be new and 



