LETTER No. II. 



[1886. 



N Thursday, notwithstanding the 

 haziness of the early morning, I 

 started for the Shobdon Water, ac- 

 companied by my young friend Christy. We 

 had a drive of over nine miles in a drizzle of 

 cold rain. 



The Shobdon Water embraces that portion 

 of the river Lugg which passes through the 

 estate of Lord Bateman from above Aymestry 

 to Mortimer's Cross, and another portion 

 some three or four miles down the river 

 between Kingsland and Leominster, called 

 " The Wegnalls." This latter portion I had 

 not an opportunity of visiting ; but I hope to 

 do so on a future occasion. 



It may be that I am prejudiced in favour of 

 the quaint old river Lugg ; but I can recall 

 no more beautiful bit of meadow and sylvan 

 scenery than that through which it runs from 

 above the village of Aymestry down to Mor- 

 timer's Cross, and thence through the rich and 



