36 NIMRO&S NORTHERN TO UR. 



something out of the common way (Johnny Campbell of Saddelf, 

 and Willy Hay of Dunse-castle, par example), I trust I shall be 

 excused for this familiar mention of Mr. LamlD's name. And in 

 truth, there is a great deal out of the common way about this 

 young gentleman, inasmuch as he is gifted with that rare quality 

 yclept dry humour. In my opinion, it is the very best kind of a 

 wit a man can possess, for being seldom exercised but when he 

 is called upon to rally, it is seldom used but in self-defence. 

 But this is a digression. The first time I had the pleasure of 

 meeting Mr. Lamb was at dinner at Lord Eglinton's, and as it 

 happened we occupied adjoining chairs. " I am in the wrong 

 box," said I to myself, " I am seated next to a young scion of 

 nobility, wrapped up in the mantle of aristocracy" (for as yet I 

 had not heard the sound of his voice) " and I would as soon be 

 near to a mad bull." Now see the folly of trusting to first im- 

 pressions. The very first time Mr. Lamb opened his mouth, 

 not to eat, but to speak, I discovered my mistake. There was a 

 peculiar style of expressing himself, which although it defies the 

 power of the pen, I may be able to exemplify by calling it that 

 cautious use of the tongue, which, whilst uttering something that 

 has more meaning in it than it appears to have, insidiously pro- 

 vokes a reply. But it is in the power of reply that Mr. Lamb 

 shines, and although Milton makes the devil at a loss for an 

 answer, I never saw him " stand perplexed," and I believe he is 

 often put to the test. As amongst a multitude of proofs, one 

 does the business, I will give an instance of this difficult and 

 rare talent. " Why don't you send Charley to sea ?" said a right 

 honourable old maid one day, to the countess his mother ; " it 

 is very bad for a young man to be idling away his time at home." 

 After a short pause, " Charley " himself furnished the answer, to 

 which his peculiar slow and measured tone must have given a 

 double force. " Do you not think," said he, " the stomach pump 

 would do as well?' I call this an excellent specimen of harm- 

 less irony, as well as a happy mixture of the satirical with the 

 simple, which is the highest point of perfection in every attempt 

 at wit. 



The two Mr. Fletchers (I don't like the word "Messrs./ 7 it 

 smells so of the shop) are brothers in blood, and brothers in 

 soul, for I believe it is difficult to say which is fondest of fox- 

 hunting. They are distinguished as Mr. Fletcher of Saltoun, 

 and Mr. Fletcher Campbell, whose residence is at Boquhar, near 

 Stirling, a seat of great antiquity, having within its grounds the 

 famous ford at which Prince Charles crossed the river. Both 

 brothers are hard riders, and good over a country, particularly 

 Mr. Fletcher Campbell, who struck me as being very au fait at 



