322 NIMROD'S NORTHERN TOUR. 



reader ! these were hunters in the highest possible condition, that were 

 to be metamorphosed into coach horses ; and I had just had a specimen 

 of one of them, which brought me from Gask in the dog-cart, for it 

 was ten minutes before I could start him from the door, and then he 

 plunged for the first half mile. *' Why, my lord," said I, " with all 

 deference to your excellent coachmanship, 1 think we had better 

 not begin the new year in a way which may perhaps deprive us of the 

 pleasure of ever seeing the end of it. A hard frost is the very worst 

 weather in which such an experiment should be tried ; and having once 

 nearly lost my life by attempting it, I beg leave to say — ' no go' " — and 

 it was none. 



As we had kept up the festivities of Christmas, it was not likely that 

 those of the New Year would be omitted in the very hospitable mansion 

 of Keith-hall. With the exception of Mr. Morison, who was prevented 

 by indisposition, and Mr. Nesbett, who was detained at home by busi- 

 ness, the same jovial party that had met at Dunlugas, were assembled on 

 this occasion, with the addition of Captain Barclay of Ury, and " a 

 jovial night" we had of it. Particulars I will not enter into ; but I may 

 be allowed to speak of myself. I drank four fox's heads of claret, in the 

 course of the evening, besides the general allowance ; supped in " The 

 Hall of my Ancestors*," a little before midnight ; topped up with a glass 

 or two of stiff whisky toddy, and rose next morning very little the worse 

 for it. Now, after this declaration, what must be thought of my advo- 

 cating* temperance in Fraser's Magazine ? All I can say is, that it is 



* A small, snug room, below stairs amongst the officcS; which bears this liiglily 

 aristocratic name. 



