334 NIMROD'S NORTHERN TOUR. 



the Captain's ground was all right, having been ordered for him by Sir 

 Henry Peyton; and I saw one set with Sir Henry's own crest, pur- 

 chased of him by the Captain, which reminded me of old times. The 

 build of the coaches is good. In fact, they are chiefly London built; and 

 such as are not, are from the yard of a good builder at Perth, and after 

 the London pattern, with patent axles, and well fitted up inside, with 

 cushions, blinds, &c. 



Wednesday, 8th. The morning of this day was passed in a way that 

 could not fail being agreeable to one who, like myself, is partial to agri- 

 cultural proceedings, in the inspection of first-rate stock. I estimated my 

 mornin^-'s walk with the Captain at upwards of twelve miles, although 

 we were not off the domain ; on which I saw some excellent specimens 

 of good practice, especially in deep ploughing where it was wanting, and 

 that sine qua von of improvement of land, deep and effectual draining. 



I have oood reason to believe that, if we led more natural lives than 

 we do, we should retain the entire exercise of our senses, as well as the 

 free use of our limbs, to the full age of man. It is the softness and 

 effeminacy of modern manners and habits, which deprive men of their 

 natural defence against diseases incidental to our variable climate, and 

 subject them to that debility and morbid sensibiUty of the nervous system, 

 which lays the foundation of diseases that spoil, if they do not destroy, 

 life. I could, however, observe, that the Captain is wide awake to all 

 the advantages of an active rural life, so very conducive to health, not 

 only of body but of mind, for there is nothing at Ury likely to emasculate 

 the one or enervate the other. I do not recollect seeing even an arm 

 chair in the house. As for those in the dining room, if the seats of them 

 were made of heart of oak itself they could not be much harder than 



