168 FORAYS AMONG SALMON AND DEER. 



with the well-bred politeness which, so far as my own 

 experience goes, seems to be habitual to the High- 

 lander, offered to attend me home. And though I 

 remonstrated at the proffered attention, he still persisted 

 in accompanying me some distance on the way. 



Though the season was far advanced the air was 

 still so mild, that the shepherd walked by my side 

 without any covering on his head. My road lay along 

 the shores of an arm of the sea. The northern lights 

 were darting through the heavens, and every ray being 

 vividly reflected in the bay sleeping beneath, the effect 

 was singular and impressive. At times it was difficult 

 to distinguish " the march " between sky and water, 

 both elements being in appearance equally irradiated. 



The distance between the cottage and the Laird's 

 was under two miles ; I soon therefore parted from my 

 companion, and reached home, having enjoyed the 

 evening very much. 



The novelty of the thing had afforded entertainment, 

 and I was much pleased with the picture of Highland 

 life and manners which it presented. The primitive 

 simplicity, and yet the absence of all boorish coarse- 

 ness, the innate good-breeding and propriety of 

 manner, were to me a matter of agreeable surprise. 

 The occasional bursts of animation, and wild gestures 

 of the young men, only displayed to me glimpses of 

 that spirit, which has made the Scotch nation what it 

 is, and swollen the page of Britain's history with the 

 deeds of her northern sons. 



