166 AN IRISH SALMON-EIVER 



What in the creation of fishes has all this to do with 

 the origin of species, which we were discussing overleaf? 

 The reader is entitled to such explanation as may be 

 had. 



I had an attendant a gillie, as he would be termed in 

 Scotland and it was his remarkable vivacity and fund of 

 anecdote which tempted me to speculate whether he 

 really was of the same species as certain dignified 

 disciples of Lacon who had condescended to minister 

 for me with the gaff beside Scottish rivers. Sport was 

 slack, as I have explained; but, in proportion as the 

 gloom deepened upon the prospect, did Paddy Rogan, 

 scion of an illustrious family of salmon-fishers, exert him- 

 self to cheer my drooping spirits with a flow of reminis- 

 cence and commentary. Only a phonograph would serve 

 to reproduce the delicate brogue and infinite play of stress 

 and expression ; even that would not reflect the obbligato 

 accompaniment of gesture and feature. It was the enter- 

 tainment derived from these that set rne speculating 

 upon problems of ethnology, mentally comparing my 

 attendant with his Scottish homologues, Highland and 

 Lowland. Highlanders have the same fascinating 

 address which distinguishes the Celt wherever he may 

 be found ; but, be it the Scottish atmosphere or merely 

 contact with the taciturn Teuton, something has robbed 

 him of the captivating irresponsibility and garrulity of 

 his race. Nevertheless, both Irish and Highland gillies 

 give you to feel that they are there for your service and 

 pleasure, and manage to fill you with a comfortable sense 

 of your own proficiency ; whereas in the Lowlander you 

 are conscious of the presence of a relentless critic at your 

 elbow. You may feel certain that if a big salmon rises 



