50 TOUR IN SUTHERLAND. CH. IV. 



with singing birds of all kinds ; whilst the coo of 

 the wood-pigeon, and the shrill cry of the kestrel 

 as she hovered with quivering wings over our 

 heads, combined to please the eye and ear. 



We were rather amused with the truly English 

 determination which was shown by a gentleman 

 (who, like ourselves, was admiring the falls) not to 

 enter into conversation, or indeed to admit that he 

 was aware of our presence. Perched on the ex- 

 treme point of rock overlooking the falls, for above 

 half an hour he turned his back most resolutely 

 towards us, as we sat immediately behind him. 



It is part of the nature of Englishmen to look 

 upon all strangers as intruders, if not as enemies ; 

 and yet many a pleasant acquaintance and friend- 

 ship have I formed without any formal introduc- 

 tion, being, I am happy to say, un-English enough 

 not to be afraid of committing myself or of losing 

 caste by addressing a stranger. Throughout life 

 I always find that civility is met by civility, 

 wherever it may be bestowed. At the same time 

 nothing is easier than to put a stop to impertin- 

 ence should one meet with it. 



En route to Lairg I called on Mr. Young, who 

 is manager of the Duke of Sutherland's fisheries 

 in the county. He received me with great civility, 

 and kindly gave me much curious and interesting 



