OCTOBER 263 



Dr. Pennecuik, ' Tweed runneth for the most part with a 

 soft, yet trotting stream.' She spreads into momentary 

 brawl under the Gateheugh, at the heel of enchanted 

 Ercildoune, and there is a foaming jumble among the 

 rocks of Craigover in the Mertoun water ; but the general 

 character of this sweet river is too gentle to satisfy the 

 salmon-fisher, who revels chiefly in the rush and roar of 

 a mountain torrent. 



For a mile or so at Makerstoun Tweed assumes a 

 Highland mien first chafing round the sunken rocks at 

 the Orchard Heads, then circling profound under the 

 Dark Shore, before making a wild dash through the 

 Clippers. Then she collects herself for a space, broaden- 

 ing out to form the Laird's Cast and Elshie, and sliding 

 out of the expanse of the Red Stane to rush in fury 

 through the Straik, where so many good fish have 

 smashed their way to freedom, into the troubled Doors, 

 the Nethern Heads, and Willie's Ower-fa', only regaining 

 composure in the comparative calm of Killmouth. What 

 a host of memories the very classics of angling do these 

 names awaken ! 



There is good cause given for the troubling of the 

 Tweed in its passage through the rocky defile of Maker- 

 stoun. Geologists will explain to you coldly that it is 

 to be found in the intrusive trap rock, rising like a 

 mighty wall through the Old Red Sandstone. Believe 

 them not, unless you prefer dry fact to rich romance. 

 The true origin of these rapids is as follows : Michael 

 Scot of Balwearie, Wizard of the North, fell at issue with 

 the monks of Melrose, who had marred some of his finest 

 incantations by meddlesome exorcisms and holy water. 

 To punish them, he determined to cut off their sunshine, 



