THE TWEED 11 



stands picturesquely on a rocky bluff, where the river makes a couple 

 of bends through a wooded defile. On the slope above, on a small 

 flat eminence amongst the trees, a splendid view both up and down 

 the valley used to be obtained. I am not aware if the trees have 

 yet obscured it, but thirty years ago it was known to me as " Mount 

 Pizgah." 



The trend of the river eastward begins about Broughton, and 

 before Neidpath is reached the tributary of Lyne has come in on 

 the left bank and Manor Water on the right. The former rises 

 away to the north on the slopes of the Pentland Hills. The latter, 

 remarkable for its fine water and lusty trout, comes, in many small 

 streams, from a half circle of hills which lie close to one another, the 

 remnant of an old land surface ; Scrape, Pykeston Hill, Long Green 

 Knowe, Dollar Law, Black Law, Blackhouse Heights how Lowland 

 Scots the names are ; the hills are all above 2200 feet, Dollar Law 

 being 2680 feet. By Manor banks David Eitchie, the original of Sir 

 Walter's Black Dwarf, had his cottage a ghoulish person with an 

 extremely twisted nature by all accounts. 



At Peebles the Eddleston Water enters at its mouth called by 

 true gutterbluids "The Cuddy." Immediately below, the first weir or 

 " cauld " of the river exists. The tweed mills of Peebles make full 

 use of the water, and do not leave it as they find it. Peebles may 

 be said to be the first of many sources of pollution. Sewage fungus 

 grows freely in the river below the town. A Eoyal Burgh since the 

 days of David II., son of Bruce, the clean and peaceful town lies 

 sweetly amongst the pastoral hills. King's Moor across the river 

 used to be the scene of many " weaponschawings " at an annual 

 tournament. The hackbut, the arquebuss, and the bow had to 

 be practised, and that this might better be done James II. in 

 1557 prohibited golf and football. Here is a hint for the supporters 

 of rifle clubs. 



The Peebles motto is Contra nando incrementum, and this is 

 perhaps more to the point. The burgh arms represent three salmon, 

 one swimming to the right as against the stream, and two swimming 

 in the opposite direction. This is the sermon of the salmon on the 

 benefits of adversity. By swimming against contending forces the 

 salmon ultimately multiplies its kind. This is a fitting enough com- 

 mentary on the " stout heart to the stie brae," which characterises 

 the Scotsman; but the flippant, who know the ways of Tweedside, 

 consider that the order of the salmon should be reversed, for, say 

 they, " for two salmon that go up, only one comes down again." 



