IIEMINISCENCES OF THE LEWS. 195 



working dogs ; but the poor dogs wlio have to 

 be led about in this draggled state till their turn 

 comes, suffer for it, and if the days are cold 

 — which, fortunately, in that country they are 

 not — much more than you do yourself; for you 

 have your warm fire and bed, whereas you can- 

 not get good bedding for your dogs. I used 

 always to let them bask as long as I could by 

 the kitchen fire ; but they must go to their 

 kennels at last. In short, I candidly confess 

 that at times the climate beat me, body, soul, 

 and spirit, and I was sore tempted to give it 

 up, and would have done so but for my attach- 

 ment to the place. Thus, I must say the 

 weather is a sore drawback to the Lews. There 

 is one thing certainly in it — it is wholesome. 

 You are never dry ; but the wet don't hurt you, 

 though I have not the least doubfc it does all 

 animals except deer, which seem to thrive under 

 it, for the venison of the Long Island is the best 

 I ever tasted, and acknowledged to be so by all 

 acquainted with its merits. Dress warm, for 

 you won't be overpowered with too much heat, 

 and never let anything but wool touch any part 

 of your body; live on game, venison, and 

 salmon ; drink no wine, but a little very good 

 beer, and a modicum of good whisky, not too 

 much ; smoke in moderation ; also dance a reel 



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