1 62 SPORT 



rights and privileges which had by almost im- 

 memorial custom belonged to his landlord. But 

 now a strange Bill with a strange title is presented 

 to Parliament, called the "Access to Mountains 

 Bill," but which might with more accuracy of de- 

 finition have been termed the " Destruction to 

 Deer-stalking," " Ebullition of Envy," " Indulgence 

 of Ill-nature," "Irritation of Owners," or "Spoiling 

 of Sport " Bill, which has no pretence, or outward 

 visible sign of benefit to anybody, not even a 

 possible political end to serve ; but is simply an 

 open and undisguised attempt to injure Highland 

 proprietors, and so reduce the value of their estates 

 as to make them almost worthless. For who 

 would hire a deer forest or a grouse moor if 

 he were liable at any time, at the conclusion of a 

 long stalk perhaps, to see the hideous apparition 

 of " 'Any " in appalling checks on the sky-line 

 in full view of the deer ? Or on a windy day 

 with the grouse rather wild, to see the same estim- 

 able being, with more or less kindred spirits, 



