278 FIELD-NOTES FOR THE YEAR. CH. XIX. 



whereas, let the matter be glossed over as it may, 

 every lessee of grouse-shootings knows how very 

 little assistance and encouragement he receives 

 from nine proprietors out of ten, notwithstanding 

 the liberal and sometimes exorbitant rents which 

 are paid. There are, however, many exceptions 

 to this state of things ; and landlords are yet to 

 be found who identify the interest of their tenant 

 with their own. 



The rage for grouse-shooting, at present so great, 

 is not likely to change, like many other fashions. 

 The fine air, the freedom, the scenery, and all the 

 other agremens accompanying this amusement, 

 must always make it the most fascinating kind of 

 sport in the way of shooting which the British isles 

 or indeed almost any country can afford. The bird, 

 too, in beauty and game-like appearance, is not to 

 be equalled. In fact, as long as grouse and heather 

 exist, and the nature of man is imbued with the 

 same love for sport and manly exercise as it now 

 is, grouse-shooting will be one of our favourite re- 

 laxations from the graver cares of life. 



Although, like others, I am excessively fond of 

 this sport, yet I care little for numbers of slain ; 

 and when following it, independently and alone, am 

 not occupied solely by the anxiety of bagging so 

 many brace. My usual plan when I set out is to 



