AND ANGLING SONGS. 211 



pretences for a protracted gaudeamus, the term applied to those 

 jovial inerry-makings with which, on a meeting of congenial 

 souls, the day was usually wound up. It must not be supposed, 

 however, that under Tibby's roof these symposia, although fre- 

 quently indulged in, degenerated at any time into scenes of 

 drunken riot. Although whisky-toddy was in circulation, as the 

 beverage best suited to that upland region, and refreshingly ex- 

 hilarating above all others to the angler, after a hearty meal on 

 his return from the water's side, it was always, as far as I can 

 recollect, imbibed with propriety and in moderation ; its invari- 

 able effects being to promote good fellowship, and from reserved 

 natures to elicit sparks, from open ones to draw flashes of intelli- 

 gence and joyous humour, which had else, without its inspiring 

 influence, never come to light. 



The occasional presence of the Ettrick Shepherd at these 

 meetings assisted rather to relieve them than otherwise, of a 

 bacchanalian tendency ; and although we were inclined, when 

 so favoured, in spite of the gentle remonstrances of our worthy 

 landlady, to prolong them to a late hour, it was seldom at the 

 risk of being constrained to encounter more than an extra 

 tumbler, in return for which outrage self-inflicted upon our tem- 

 perate habits, we were sure to be gratified, on demand, with a 

 lilt from the poet. His favourites, which I have heard him give 

 voice to above a score of times, and he did so invariably with a 

 heartiness of expression that counterbalanced any little defect 

 there might be of musical taste or ear, were his well-known 

 rendering of the Jacobite air, ' Prince Charlie,' or ' Cam ye by 

 Athol,' and that simple but beautiful love-lay, headed, ' When 

 the kye comes hame.' 



I cannot refrain from calling up, in connexion with those 

 festive meetings, the occasion of a wedding, in which the eldest 

 son of Tibby figured as bridegroom, and a daughter of the tenant 

 of Corsecleugh farm as bride. The date is preserved in my 



