NIMROD'S NORTHERN TOUR. 189 



I had another reason why I was not to be stopped by distance from 

 meeting the duke's hounds this day. I had had paid me the very high 

 compliment of a special invitation from that celebrated sportsman, Mr. 

 Baillie of Mellerstain, to visit him after the sport of the day was con- 

 cluded — considered a still higher compliment from the fact of his having 

 been for some time precluded from the pleasure of seeing his friends by 

 reason of a late somewhat serious indisposition, but from the effects of 

 which he was at this time recovering. 



From the celebrity given to East Gordon-gorse by the sport its foxes 

 had afforded, in addition to Tuesday not being a hunting day with Lord 

 Elcho, there was the largest field, this morning, that I ever saw in Scot- 

 land — not less I should say than a hundred and fifty horsemen ; and the 

 numerous carriages that stood in the road, after having discharged 

 their loads, had quite a Ranksborough-gorse-like appearance. Amongst 

 the spectators on foot— having just alighted from his carriage— was Mr. 

 Baillie, to whom I was immediately introduced, and most kindly indeed 

 was I received by him. The cover we met at, I have I believe already 

 stated, is his own. 



Having made my bow to the Duke of Buccleuch, and returned his 

 Grace thanks for again sending me one of his own favourite horses (The 

 Bishop) , I proceeded to pay my respects to my other numerous friends. 

 I am sorry however it is not in my power to give an interesting descrip- 

 tion of this day's sport, for although a good run was very generally looked 

 for, from the notoriety of the cover, in addition to the '* skyey influen- 

 ces" being apparently in favour of it, we were not in luck's way. Our 

 first fox went gallantly away, but having been coursed by a dog he met 

 on a moor, he was driven from his point, ran short, and was eventually 



