204 NIMROD'S NORTHERN TOUR. 



Our conversation in the stable ended with the following injunction 

 from Mr. Baillie. " When you visit Lord Kintore," said he, *' atGask, 

 don't forget to see John Crack who resides at Turriff. He is the oldest 

 huntsman now alive in Scotland, and I think he will amuse you with 

 some of his anecdotes of days long since gone past." This injunction 

 I was not likely to overlook ; the very name was a security against my 

 doing so, crack men, crack hounds, and crack horses being the main 

 objects of my pursuit. 



Previously to our return to the house, we strolled about the domain, 

 and Mr. Baillie appeared to feel an honourable pride in showing me the 

 neat and comfortable houses in which his labourers and artizans, necessary 

 to such an establishment as his, are lodged. Amongst others I stepped 

 into that of the family blacksmith who happened to be within it at the 

 moment. " So," said I, " you take Bell's Life in London, do you ?" 

 (the last number lay on his table, pretty well thumbed.) " Ay, do I ;" 

 replied this son of Vulcan, a very respectable looking man, as the term 

 iSf *' and I ken who you are ] I have read your writings." ''Then I 

 hope you are the better for them," was my rather natural remark. 

 <« Wall I am Ji07ie the warse,'' was all I got from him in reply. 



" Oh, that men's ears should be 



To counsel deaf, but not to flattery !" 



This was somewhat of a damper. 



We proceeded on our walk. " Did you ever eatahaggess?" said Mr. 

 Baillie to me, as we approached the mansion. " Never," replied I ; 

 " neither do I think from what I have heard of it, I ever shall. They 

 tell me it is a sheep's head, dressed with the wool on, with the agreeable 



