NIMROD'S NORTHERN TOUR. 321 



young things, one of which is very likely to become first rate as a 

 hunter, 



"Perhaps, Nimrod," said Lord Kintore to me during our stroll, 

 " you may be surprised at my preferring Keith-hall, as a residence, to 

 my other place, (Tnglismaldie) near Laurence-kirk, where the greater 

 part of my property lies, and which is more in the world than this ; but 

 / was bred here, apd that makes me partial to it." I answered him in 

 the words of the poet — 



" Be it a weakness — it deserves some praise; 

 We love the play-place of our early days." 



But this passion is universal, and carried to a great extreme. There is 

 a secret attraction, in fact, in the place where we have passed the cheer- 

 ful innocence of childhood, that holds our heart to it during the remain- 

 ing period of life; and it is in much wilder countries than Scotland, as 

 well as under circumstances much less favourable, that man exhibits his 

 foadness for his native land : — 



" Dear is that shed, to which bis soul conforms. 

 And dear that hill, which lifts him to the storms ; 

 And, as a babe, when scaring sounds molest. 

 Clings close and closer to the mother's breast ; 

 So the loud torrent, and the whirlwind's roar. 

 But bind him to his native mountains more." 



New year's morning .'—Frost harder and harder. " Nimrod," said 

 my host, " let us put a team to the coach, and take a drive." " I did 

 not know you had a team at present," was my reply, " Why," resumed 

 his lordship, '' I have only two horses that have been in harness, 

 but I think we could contrive to make up a team." Now, observe, 



2 T 



