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of the curlew, and the plaintive tenderness of the 

 plover ! Sounds of this kind, in such localities, 

 make sadness pleasingly sad, and desolation more 

 desolate. "When we come into districts where copse 

 and woodland covers prevail, we have the clear 

 notes of the mavis and merle, which are in admira- 

 ble keeping with the active and busy scenes of human 

 life and industry, and with the blossoms, and flowers, 

 and shrubs, which adorn the earth's surface, when 

 subjected to the labour of man. Such sweet notes 

 make rusticity more rustic, and give rise to the most 

 soothing emotions which luxuriant nature can pro- 

 duce on our inward frame. 



The South Esk issues from the north-west sum- 

 mit of the Grampians, out of a lake of the same 

 name, situated in the parish of Clova. It is from 

 sixty to seventy miles in extent, and falls into the 

 sea at Montrose. Near to its source, are Lochs 

 Wharral and Brany, which contain good trout, as 

 well as pike and perch. Very large trout have 

 been occasionally taken in those still waters by 

 trolling, and some even with the fly. For the first 

 twenty miles of South Esk, the generality of the 

 fish found in it are small ; and, in fine, clear, sum- 

 mer weather, the waters get too limpid, and too 

 much reduced, for successful exploits with the rod. 

 But after rain, there seems no end to the number 

 of trout that can be taken in it. "We have found 

 the angling for about ten miles above the Town of 

 Brechin, to be the best portion of this river. There 



