NIM ROD'S NORTHERN TOUR. 223 



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There is a secret attraction, in fact, in the place where we have 

 passed the cheerful innocence of childhood, that holds our heart 

 to it during the remaining period of life ; and it is in much 

 wilder countries than Scotland, as well as under circumstances 

 much less favourable, that man exhibits his fondness for his 

 native land : 



" Dear is that shed, to which his soul conforms, 

 And dear that hill, which lifts him to the storms; 

 And, as a babe, when scaring sounds molest, 

 Clings close and closer to the mother's breast; 

 So the loud torrent, and the whirlwind's roar, 



But bind him to his native mountains more." 



* 



New Year's morning! Frost harder and harder. " Nimrod," 

 said my host, " let us put a team to the coach, and take a drive." 

 " I did not know you had a team at present," was my reply. 

 " Why," resumed his lordship, " I have only two horses that 

 have been in harness, but I think we could contrive to make up 

 a team." Now, observe, reader ! these were hunters in the 

 highest possible condition, that were to be metamorphosed into 

 coach horses ; and I had just had a specimen of one of them, 

 which brought me from Cask in the dog-cart, for it was ten 

 minutes before I could start him from the door, and then he 

 plunged for the first half mile. "Why, my lord," said I, " with 

 all deference to your excellent coachmanship, I think we had 

 better not begin the new year in a way which may perhaps de- 

 prive us of the pleasure of ever seeing the end of it. A hard 

 frost is the very worst weather in which such an experiment 

 should be tried ; and having once nearly lost my life by attempt- 

 ing it, I beg leave to say ' no go' n and it was none. 



As we had kept up the festivities of Christmas, it was not likely 

 that those of the New Year would be omitted in the very hos- 

 pitable mansion of Keith Hall. With the exception of Mr. 

 Morison, who was prevented by indisposition, and Mr. Nesbett, 

 who was detained at home by business, the same jovial party 

 that had met at Dunlugas, were assembled on this occasion, with 

 the addition of Captain Barclay of Ury, and "a jovial night" 

 we had of it. Particulars I will not enter into ; but I may be 

 allowed to speak of myself. I drank four fox's heads of claret, 

 in the course of the evening, besides the general allowance ; 

 supped in " The Hall of my Ancestors,"* a little before mid- 

 night ; topped up with a glass or two of stiff whiskey toddy, and 



* A small, snug room, below stairs amongst the offices, which bears 

 this highly aristocratic name. 



