148 THE GROUSE 



arousing any admiration, still gave rise 

 only to a strong feeling of distaste in the 

 mind of many a Southron whose fate 

 called him to sojourn among what to 

 him seemed but bleak and desolate 

 solitudes. 



A change came as the century grew 

 older, and the stress of modern civilisa- 

 tion drew an ever - increasing number 

 from their country homes to pass their 

 days at office, counter, and till. 



Dwellers in cities, seeking relaxation 

 after their labours, came to find new and 

 hitherto unsuspected beauties in the 

 rugged glens and corries of the north. 



Improved facilities of communication 

 made the once toilsome journey to the 

 Highlands a matter lightly to be thought 

 of, and the pursuit of the grouse rose 

 steadily in popular favour, a rise each 

 step of which was marked by a corre- 

 sponding increase in the rentals realised 

 by moors. 



Nor is this popularity likely to prove 

 ephemeral, for no sport is better adapted 



