SCOTLAND. 313 



exclusive preserves, and pet waters, are of very rare oc- 

 currence indeed; and the fair and gentlemanly sportsman, 

 will experience but little interruption from obstructions 

 of this description. Indeed, it may almost be said, that 

 nuisances of this nature are entirely unknown in Scotland. 

 On this account all the movements of the wanderer are 

 free and unfettered. The sport is so universally indulged 

 in, that there is not a town or village in the whole country, 

 situated near a river or stream of any kind, in which 

 you will not meet with anglers of first-rate pretensions; 

 men too, who are far above any mean feeling of petty 

 jealousy, at your intrusion into their accustomed haunts, or 

 your participation in their favourite amusement. In fact, 

 despicable and unworthy feelings or sentiments of this 

 kind, can never be encouraged, or even generated in a 

 country, where every mere boy can go out and fill his 

 creel with the finest trout in a few hours, and perhaps 

 bring home half a dozen prime and delicious salmon into 

 the bargain. 



But free and unrestrained as the angler's personal 

 movements are in this country ; they are not more so than 

 the movement of his tackle. Here there are scarcely any 

 impediments to the full and free use of the fly, arising from 

 trees, or bushes, or underwood of any kind. The country is 

 remarkably open ; and the rushing and impetuous waters 

 of the fresh streams, scoop out for themselves such broad 

 and capacious beds, that ample room is afforded for the 

 full swing of the very longest line, which a man can use 

 with a rod. You may wander down the banks of a river 

 for twenty or thirty miles, and never stumble on a single 

 tree or bush. This is especially the case with the river 

 Tweed; for from its source to the town of Peebles, there 

 is scarcely a solitary twig to be seen on its banks. 



