CHAPTER I. 



IN pursuance of a long- existing promise that I would 

 spend a few weeks in the Highlands, for the purpose 

 of catching trout and salmon, shooting grouse,, and 

 stalking deer, I found myself, an evening or two 

 since, on the platform of the North-Western Railway 

 at Euston, with the intention of " Going North," in 

 order to fulfil that agreeable engagement. A glance 

 sufficed to show that I was not the only person on 

 like pleasures bent, the platform being covered with 

 baggage of every sort and kind, and a monster train 

 of magnificent carriages, all labelled " Perth/' drawn 

 up, which was being rapidly though quietly loaded, 

 the order and regularity with which the vast business 

 at this great terminus is transacted being remarkable. 

 Inquiring for my friends, I was shown into a new 

 saloon carriage of improved make, the centre compart- 

 ment being arranged as a sitting-room, whilst at either 

 end were compartments, the one for the ladies, and 

 the other for the gentlemen of the party, fitted up 

 with comfortable beds, tastily decorated, and beauti- 

 fully clean, which proved, when the hour for seeking 

 repose at high speed arrived, eminently comfortable 



