332 PETER'S PENMANSHIP. 



of Peter Fraser, which I extract from a letter written by 

 him, now lying before me, and which he sent to Dunkeld, 

 for the purpose of communicating this remarkable day's 

 sport. 



" The deer went on to Beinn-a-Weadhounedh *, and 



before we was done with the aforesaid hill, Mr. S had 



his day's sport finished eight fine harts. This was done 

 early in the afternoon ; and he wished to carry on further, 

 but I got him advised to go home to Forest Lodge." f 



This was my last day in the forest of Atholl. The 

 scene, alas, soon changed, and mourning followed on its 

 rear. In the midst of joy comes sorrow the dark, the 

 inevitable cloud, which had been almost imperceptibly 

 gathering, at length burst over us. The solemn bell of 

 the old Cathedral struck duly, and the sound bore the 

 lament through the hollow woods and glens, and fell 

 heavily upon our hearts ; the waters rolled on, and the 

 pines waved their green heads, but all was void and de- 



* The Gaelic appellation for Ben-y-venie. 



f The Duke of Atholl was so liberal in his presents of venison, and 

 his hospitality so great, that no supply I was ever able to afford him 

 could exceed his desires, so that he rejoiced in a day of this description, 

 and would listen to the details with great interest. Some apology 

 would otherwise be necessary for my slaughter on this and other days 

 nearly similar to it. The chief point consists in selecting the best 

 harts, and passing by the inferior ones. This was held to be the test 

 of a good sportsman. In grouse-shooting, except I was enjoined to 

 do otherwise, I always limited my sport to twenty brace a-day, though 

 in a good season I think I could have killed four or five times that 

 number ; but I never had any pleasure in destroying game for which 

 there was no immediate demand. Peter Fraser has been lately made 

 head forester in Atholl, and Charlie Crerar taken into the service of 

 the Duke of Buccleuch. 



