CHRISTOPHER 



IN HIS SPORTING JACKET 



jrptte ^econH 



We are always unwilling to speak of ourselves, lest 

 we should appear egotistical — for egotism we detest. 

 Yet the sporting world must naturally be anxious to 

 know something of our early history — and their anx- 

 iety shall therefore be now assuaged. The truth is, 

 that we enjoyed some rare advantages and opportu- 

 nities in our boyhood regarding field sports, and grew 

 up, even from that first great era in every Lowlander's 

 life, Breeching-day, not only a fisher but a fowler; and 

 it is necessary that we enter into some interesting de- 

 tails. 



There had been from time immemorial, it was un- 

 derstood, in the Manse, a duck-gun of very great 

 [51 ] 



