296 AN ANGLER'S RAMBLES 



pient all the evil consequences, on such rivers I would cer- 

 tainly set face against so hazardous an experiment being carried 

 out, and would have no more scruples in excising a stray 

 Thymallus vulgaris than I would have in slaying Master Pike 

 when in the act of running ' a- muck' among the smolts. The 

 superlative excellence of the Teviot fresh-water trout, and the 

 propriety of securing for the migratory species in close time 

 undisturbed possession of the fords, furnish reasons sufficient for 

 an interdict against the introduction of grayling into its waters, 

 and I trust will prove deterrent when fully considered in those 

 quarters where the misjudged experiments are being carried on. 



TWEED FOR EVER! 



i. 



LET ither anglers choose their ain, 



An' ither waters tak' the lead, 

 O' Hielan' streams we covet nane, 



But gi'e to us the bonnie Tweed ! 

 An' gi'e to us the cheerfu' burn 



That steals into its valley fair 

 The streamlets that at ilka turn 



Sae saftly meet an' mingle there. 



ii. 

 The lanesome Tala and the Lyne, 



An' Manor wi' its mountain-rills, 

 An' Etterick whose waters twine 



Wi' Yarrow frae the Forest hills ; 

 An' Gala too, and Teviot bright, 



An* mony a stream o' playfu' speed ; 

 Their kindred valleys a' unite 



Amang the braes o' bonnie Tweed. 



