THE VALE OF GALA. 31 



those once so happy here were permitted to 

 revisit this peaceful and humble abode ! How 

 pleased would we be to see their happy faces, 

 and to repeat over again many of our curious 

 tales relating to fishing many a time, and oft, 

 told with great glee and fun. The old poet 

 says somewhere, that the joys we have enjoyed 

 the gods cannot deprive us of ; and as I would 

 rather leave melancholy reminiscences, I shall 

 pass downwards to the Caddonlee Water, on the 

 estate of Admiral Pringle, just now no more. 

 The first pool on this water is the Kampling, 

 from the number of ramps, or wild onions, which 

 grow abundantly on the south side. The 

 Ashiestiel boat pool, on the side of which you 

 see the oak tree (not a huge tree), where, we are 

 informed by Lockhart, Sir Walter Scott sat 

 often while he was composing Marmion The 

 Gullets at the Bridge, Moss, and Nedpath pools, 

 follow, the last of which is on Fairnilee water, 

 the property of Mrs Pringle of Haining. Near 

 this picturesque bridge is the Nest, where a club 



moniously turned out by it, and all lay dead on the 

 ground. The young cuckoo was shortly afterwards sent 

 to Edinburgh, in a cage, where, however, it soon after 

 followed them to the grave. 



