THE TWEED 11 



The hackbut, the arquebuss, and the bow had to be practised, 

 and that this might better be done James II. in 1457 prohibited 

 golf and football. Here is a hint for the supporters of rifle 

 clubs. 



The Peebles motto is Contra nando incrementum, and the 

 burgh arms represent three salmon, one swimming to the right 

 as against the stream, and two swimming in the opposite 

 direction. This is the sermon of the salmon on the benefits 

 of adversity. By swimming against contending forces the 

 salmon ultimately multiplies its kind. This is a fitting enough 

 commentary on the " stout heart to the stie brae," which 

 characterises the Scotsman ; but the flippant, who know the 

 ways of Tweedside, consider that the order of the salmon should 

 be reversed, for, say they, " for two salmon that go up, only 

 one comes down again." 



Before the Tweed leaves Peeblesshire, the town of Inner - 

 leithen is reached, and the obstruction of Walkerburn Dyke 

 is passed. The dyke is generally believed to be the worst 

 barrier to salmon in the river. The Leithen in ordinary 

 weather conditions is entirely absorbed by the local mills, and 

 finds its way to Tweed through a lade. In its upper reaches 

 it is still a good trouting stream, but salmon are entirely barred. 

 Sir Thomas Dick Lauder 1 describes the joys of wandering up 

 the valley, " guided by the thread of the little streams only, 

 and dropping as you move onwards, a shortened line over 

 its banks, finding yourself ever and anon yalked to a fish that 

 compels you in prudence to give him somewhat of his own way 

 and a little indulgence in the music of the reel, before you 

 begin to think of drawing him gently near you, in order to lay 

 your hands upon him. How agreeably does the lid of your 

 willow ' basket utter its peculiar, gently creaking sound in 

 welcome to the panting captive." 



A rather violent contrast to this echo of the gentle art is 

 found when we turn to the Report on the Pollution of the River 

 Tweed, prepared by Dr. Wheaton and Mr. Curphey. 2 

 " Occasionally, in time of heavy rainfall severe floods occur 

 on the Leithen ; when these occur a large amount of water 

 flows down the bed of the stream, which is usually dry, and 

 flushes it out, carrying all the rubbish and filth to the Tweed. 

 1 Scottish Rivers, p. 84. 2 H.M. Stationery Office, 1906. 



