320 NIMROD'S NORTHERN TOUR. 



only comment that I have to make upon this, is, that I am quite sure 

 Timotheus would have finished me. 



My having spoken of " David the butler," in an establishment such 

 as this is, calls forth a remark. Lord Kintore, in his politics is a liberal 

 whig, and, like another Publius Valerius, pledged to the cause of the 

 people ; yet, like another Quintius Cincinnatus, he possesses the spirit 

 of an ancient patrician, and wishes to keep things in their places. Tlius, 

 it is not at Keith-hall as at my late neighbour's in Hampshire ; there 

 are no Mr. Woods the butler ; Mr. Chapman the bailiff; Mr. Gregson 

 the huntsman ; Mr. Sraallbones the gardener ; and old Billy Chute 

 the master* ! In fact, there are no Misters or Mistresses in the servants' 

 hall at Keith-hall; but it is " David" the butler; " Joe Grant" the 

 huntsman; "Willie" the groom; "John" the gardener; and "his 

 ^ordship," the master. David has grown grey in the service of his 

 present master and his father, and is as reputable a looking servant as 

 ever put a bottle of wine upon a table, or stood in front of a sideboard. 



Wednesday, 31. — A very hard frost, and all chance of my seeing 

 hounds in the Keith-hall country, during this visit, gone by. Saw the 

 pack fed ; looked over the farm buildings ; inspected the stalls, cart- 

 horses, &c. all first rate, and very much like business ; walked to Joe 

 Grant's cottage, which stands pleasantly on a bank, overlooking Keith- 

 hall; and strolled about the domain till dusk. But the stables, were 

 they omitted ? Certainly not ; nor the paddocks, in which were some 



♦ It may be remembered, that I stated the fact of the late Mr. Chute of The Vine 

 Hampshire, having overheard the above nomenclature given to his establishment 

 and himself, in a discourse between a party of his labourers, which I had from his 

 own lips. 



