NIMROD'S NORTHERN TOUR. 183 



of a duke's horse with hounds, but a still higher honour was conferred 

 on me this day. A horse called Perseverance, the only horse in the stud 

 the Duchess of Buccleuch ever rides with hounds, was brought to Spot- 

 tiswoode for me, and a most perfect hunter did he appear to be. But I 

 must make short work of this day's proceedings. 



It has been well said — • 



" Wlio from the morning's brig-htest ray 

 Can promise what will be the day?" 



and although a finer morning than this was never seen on the last Satur- 

 day in November, the rain began to pour down as soon as we proceeded 

 to business ; and although there was no lack of foxes, there were no 

 hopes of sport. Add to this, Perseverance was clipped, and shivered 

 with cold, as we stood, sheltering, under some fir-trees ; and as the 

 hounds were only running from one bog to another, there was no induce- 

 ment to follow them. Fearing then I might injure this valuable horse, I 

 galloped away to the village of Lauder, where my hack was stationed, 

 and after a ride of nearly thirty miles in incessant and hard rain, arrived 

 at Chester-hall, twelve miles from Edinburgh, in a condition that does 

 not require to be described. 



Chester-hall, in the parish of Oxenford, twelve miles from Edinburgh, 

 is (or at least at this time it was, for he has purchased an estate in the 

 neighbourhood, on which he was about to build himself a house) the 

 residence of the Hon. William Keith, a captain in his majesty's navy, 

 and the only brother of the Earl of Kintore. Here T found assembled 

 what may be called a family party, and none the worse for that ; for it is 

 in society, as in love, the nearer the equality the closer the bonds, and 



