402 NIM ROD'S NORTHERN TOUR. 



• 



approach to the chasm made by pulling down the old one was left in a 

 most insecure state — in fact with nothing but a low line of loose stones, 

 placed almost close to the breach. '* I hope our postilion will not drive 

 us into the Po, as we return at night," said I to the laird, en passant. 

 " No fear," was his reply. However, it appeared that my fears were 

 not quite groundless ; whether it were from the effects of the storm that 

 was raging at the time, and directly in his very teeth ; or, from an 

 extra glass of something to fortify himself against it, it is not in my 

 power to divine ; but headlong should we have gone into the Po, had 

 not the footman, who was on the box, just seen the danger to stop him 

 in time. Four yards further, and Abercairney, the Highland chief, and 

 Nimrod, would have both finished their mortal career, and at rather 

 short notice. 



Tuesday 3. —Nothing to be done in the field ; the snow driving, and 

 sleet, "deforming the day, delightless." When church and king time 

 (as an old friend of mine calls dinner time, alluding to the drop of 

 comfort after it) arrived, we had an addition to our party of a jolly son 

 of Neptune, a half-pay captain, R. N., who sang us some good songs, 

 and gave us some amusing anecdotes in and out of his profession. 



On Wednesday, the 4th, I quitted Abercairney-abbey, and have only 

 a few more remarks to make respecting my visit to it. The weather 

 was unpropitious to sport with hounds ; still as I was suffering from 

 the effects of my accident, I could not have enjoyed it, had it been 

 within my reach ; but barring these draw-backs, nothing was wanting 

 to real enjoyment of life. As regards the laird, he is a man after my 

 own heart ; overflowing with high spirits ; without a particle of affec- 

 tation; a jolly companion over the bowl ; and, — as a Welsh apothecary 



