NIMROD'S NORTHERN TOUR. 365 



pays for it ; or, to use his own words, he gets " a poond by it every time 

 he puts on his breeks." 



But Jock is a fine sample of the real British Yeoman, a character 

 which, when original, and not diluted with the afifectation of the gentle- 

 man, I very greatly admire ; and I greatly question whether there is a 

 much more useful one, within the whole pale of society. Of Jock's respect- 

 ability one proof will be sufficient. He was in great favour with the 

 late Duke of Gordon all his life ; and his Grace never passed his 

 door on his road to London, or from it, without greeting his old friend 

 and brother sportsman, Jock Proctor, with a " How do you do?" 



But I must attempt a sketch of Jock Proctor. His age I should take 

 to be between fifty and sixty, and his person of that form which 

 appears intended to defy Time. He has a fine head of hair, which was 

 only then beginning to turn grey ; and a countenance betokening a mind 

 at ease, and in perfect good humour with all mankind. Whether in his 

 youth he did apply hot and rebellious liquors to his blood, it is not in my 

 power to say ; but this I can say, he will drink whiskey toddy now with 

 any man in Scotland ; and he formed a very poor opinion of me, because 

 I could get no further than the third tumbler, after our wine, whilst 

 he reached his eighth ! ** What the deil are ye made of, Nimrod?" he 

 would say, every time he made a fresh glass, *' ye're nae mon for 

 Scotland, at a'." It would then be, ** Come, Nimrod, what are ye aboot 

 mon; ye'U hae the cauld (cold) in your stomach after a' that claret 

 yeVe been drinking." His start homeward in his gig was one of the 

 richest order. Luckily for himself, his servant was coachman; but 

 whether he was as well shoed-up as his master, or whether the horse 

 bolted, is not in my power to determine, yet certain it is they were all 



