NIxMROD'S NORTHERN TOUR. 195 



lordship, Sir David made a comparison to a pack of fox-hounds in chase. 

 * If the one that leads,' said he, * retires, another, perhaps equally g^ood, 

 takes his place.' But," continued Williamson, " I rather differed with 

 Sir David here, and pulling my next neighbour by the sleeve, whispered 

 in his ear — that depends on circumstances. When all goes smooth, and 

 well, and with a good scent, a hound of moderate abilities may guide the 

 pack to their fox ; but when difficulties occur, superior nose is wanted to 

 insure success to the chase. '^ Whether or not this superior nose has 

 been found it is not for me to say ; but Williamson was at his post, full 

 fafty miles off, on the following morning, and had the satisfaction of 

 showing an excellent day's sport. 



Nothing more being about to be done after the murder of our second 

 fox, I accompanied those eminent sportsmen, Mr. George and Mr. Ro« 

 bert Baillie to their father's mansion, at Mellerstain, where I anticipated 

 the reception which I met with, from every part of the family. Some 

 idea may be formed of the size of this mansion from the following rather 

 remarkable coincidence ; — Jt is said to contain just as many windows as 

 there are days in the year, which speaks not so much for its antiquity — 

 it has not the appearance of being an old house — as for its having been 

 built previously to the tax upon window lights. It is, however, an 

 immense pile, and contains some good rooms ; is situated in a finely tim- 

 bered domain, and in front of a noble piece of water, with a fine trout 

 stream running through it. 



But it is of the occupiers of these halls and the owner of this domain 



that I am now called upon to speak. The name of Baillie is conspicuous 



not only amongst the sportsmen, but it stands forth in -the front rank of 



Scottish patriots, the present laird being lineally descended from, and the 



2 c 2 



