THE TWEED AT DRY BURGH. 279 



the Mertoun Mill-Cauld, in the Long Stream, as it is 

 called, heading which I have often done satisfactory 

 execution. The salmon-fishings on the upper por- 

 tion of this stream belong to the Dryburgh estate, 

 and are situated about half-a-mile from the Abbey 

 Here, on the 10th of April 1861, I hooked, played, 

 and landed several large salmon-kelts, the joint 

 weight of which exceeded sixty-four pounds, a well- 

 mended, strong-running twenty-pounder topping the 

 lot. There is nothing worthy of mention in the in- 

 cident itself; and I only refer to it because it is 

 associated with the circumstance of my having spent 

 the remaining portion of the day, and of the night 

 that followed, at the mansion-house of Dryburgh, 

 which, along with the shootings and fishings on the 

 property, was rented by a friend of mine, whose kind 

 invitation to take a cast for salmon on the river I 

 had accepted. 



My sleeping apartment on this occasion was 

 situated on the wing of the building nearest to St. 

 Mary's . Aisle, that portion of the Abbey in which, 

 in virtue of Sir Walter's claims as a descendant from 

 the ancient family of the Halliburtons once the 

 proprietors of Dryburgh his remains, and those of 

 his family, including Lockhart, lie interred. While 

 in the occupation of this apartment, during the witch- 

 ing hour, it was only natural to summon up thoughts 

 bearing upon the illustrious dead, with whose relics I 



