NOTES FROM DIARY KEPT AT QUICKIOCK. 125 



I had left home on the 27th of February on a 

 little charr-fishing trip, and more beautiful winter 

 weather I never remember. Lots of snow had 

 fallen, but it was well set ; and as the roads are 

 all cleared with snow-ploughs, etc., at such a time 

 we can travel in a bee-line over forest and lake, 

 and I reached my friend's house in about fifteen 

 miles instead of twenty-four, the usual distance. 

 The weather was clear and bright, and I never 

 enjoyed a walk more in my life. I took one of my 

 lads with me, for I had two objects in view ; the 

 first to catch some good specimens of charr, the 

 other to see if I could find the crossbills building 

 in the woods we were about to visit. We had 

 some capital fishing, but although the weather 

 still kept bright and clear, I did not like the 

 appearance of the heaven when the sun went 

 down on the 1st of March ; and, on looking out 

 of my window the next morning, was not at all 

 surprised to see that a heavy snow-storm had set 

 in. My lad, with the characteristic prudence of 

 these foresters, immediately went home, for he 

 prophesied three days of snow ; and it would have 

 been well had I followed him, but my friend over- . 

 persuaded me to stay (no very difficult matter, by 

 the way, when I contrasted the inward comforts 

 of his house with the desolate prospect that 

 reigned over all outside). It snowed heavily without 



