of tbe 1Rofc, Ifttfle, anb 6un 



what would become of Old North and Blackwood, 

 and all our friends for game, were I to come to Elleray 

 just now? I know of no home of man where I could 

 be so happy within doors with so many lovely and 

 joyous faces around me ; but this is not the season 

 for in-door enjoyments ; they must be reaped on the 

 wastes among the blooming heath, by the silver spring, 

 or swathed in the delicious breeze of the wilderness. 

 Elleray with all its sweets could never have been my 

 choice for a habitation, and perhaps you are the only 

 Scottish gentleman who ever made such a choice, and 

 still persists in maintaining it in spite of every dis- 

 advantage. Happy days to you, and a safe return ! 

 Yours most respectfully, 



JAMES HOGG." 



But Wilson revelled in the place. He had a fleet 

 of eight sailing boats on Windermere, besides a fine 

 ten-oared Oxford barge. He indulged, too, in another 

 sport, popular then, but discredited now cock-fighting. 

 He had a passion for game-cocks, and had at times 

 as many as sixty or seventy in training. One grand 

 main was fought in the big new drawing-room which 

 he built on to his cottage. He had the flooring covered 

 with sods, and invited all the neighbouring farmers to 

 witness the sport and assist at a jolly supper afterwards. 



The master of Elleray was an enthusiastic patron 

 of all the athletic sports in which the dalesmen delighted. 

 Of his love of wrestling, and his own prowess in that 

 manly pastime, Mr. Waugh has left us an interesting 

 record. 



