22 THE GROUSE 



their owners awoke to a perception 

 of their value, and occupiers flocked to 

 them as delightful autumnal retreats for 

 sportsmen and their families and friends. 

 Among these were counted from the first 

 no inconsiderable number of the members 

 of both Houses of Parliament ; nothing 

 could be better fitted or more effectual to 

 revive the jaded energies of the worn-out 

 legislator than contact with the bracing 

 breezes and the mild excitement of shoot- 

 ing grouse. The letting of grouse moors 

 is still much affected by the course of 

 parliamentary business, odd as some may 

 think the conjunction. A good letting 

 season, or the reverse of this, to a 

 considerable degree hangs on the point 

 whether Parliament shall cease from its 

 sessional labours in time for celebration 

 of the day of St. Grouse. This event 

 is generally prophetically known some 

 time in advance. Autumn sessions of 

 Parliament are abhorred by Highland 

 lairds and other owners of grouse moors. 

 In this aspect of the matter it may be 



