366 NIMROD'S NORTHERN TOUR. 



but capsized, almost as soon as they left the door, Jock calling out at the 

 time, " Will this do for ye, Mr. Nimrod ?" as though he were performing 

 some wonderful feat. But such are the men who do these things with 

 impunity. The early hours they generally keep, the vivifying effect of 

 the air they breathe, and the exercise they take in it, neutralize the 

 poison of the evening cup, and, although ** with an hue as florid as ver- 

 milioned Jove," a healthier looking man than Jock Proctor is, I should 

 think not easily found at his age. Then I was much amused with his 

 conversation, as well as forcibly struck with the general propriety of his 

 remarks, delivered in his own peculiar style. But it is this "own 

 peculiar style" that gives them peculiar force. I should say of Jock, 

 that, what his heart thinks his tongue speaks, and, as our immortal 

 bard says of a sturdy Roman general, " he would not flatter Neptune for 

 his trident." Still, if all be true that is told of him, he can whisper soft 

 things in a female ear. 



February 2. Outof luck again with Mr. Dalyell — short running foxes, 

 foiled ground, and no scent to force them off it. The finish, too, was a 

 bad one, and I mention it as a caution. There was a couple of hounds 

 from the Duke of Cleveland's kennel, out this day, who, never having 

 seen roebuck, got tied to the scent of one in a large cover, where they 

 could not well be got at, and two or three more of the pack were induced 

 tojoin cry with them. Just, however, as Mr. Dalyell had got all but these 

 few rioters at his horse's heels, outside the cover, and Skinner was on the 

 point of stopping them, holloas were given by two of the field who were 

 standing close to my side at the moment, but at some distance from Mr. 

 Dalyell, the consequence of which was evenj hound dashing into the cover 

 again in a second or two. Those who have hunted with Mr. Dalyell, 

 have him this moment before their eyes ; those who have not, can 



