92 KIND OBSERVATIONS. 



primitive, — there was such an absolute indigence of or- 

 nament, and poverty of conception, tliat I felt somewhat 

 fastidious about it. I could not, however, let a brother 

 of the craft pass unnoticed, albeit somewhat rude in his 

 attire ; so, " What sport," said I, " my good friend ? " 



" I canna say that I hae had muckle deversion ; for 

 she is quite fallen in, and there wull be no good fishing 

 till there comes a spate." 



Now, after this remark, I waxed more proud of my 

 success ; but I did not come down upon him at once with 

 it, but said somewhat slyly, and with mock modesty, — 



" Then you tliink there is not much chance for any 

 one, and least of all for a stranger like myself." 



" I dinna tliink the like o' ye can do muckle ; though 

 I will no say but ye may light on a wee bit trout, or 

 may be on a happening fish. That's a bonny little 

 wand you've got ; and she shimmers so with varnish, that 

 I'm thinking that when she is in the eye o' the sun the 

 fish will come aneath her, as they do to the blaze in 

 the water." 



Sandy was evidently lampooning my Higginbotham. 

 I therefore replied, that she certainly had more shining 

 qualities than were often met with on the northern side 

 of the Tweed. At this personality, my pleasant friend 

 took out a large mull from his pocket, and, applying a 

 copious quantity of its contents to his. nose, very politely 

 responded — 



" Ye needna fash yoursel to observe aboot the like 

 o' her ; she is no worth this pinch o' snuff." 



He then very courteously handed his mull to me. 



" Well," said I, still modestly, " she will do well 



