324 Life and Times of " The Druid" 



he resumed his march. At last he undertook 

 that long journey in Scotland which he de- 

 scribes in the preface to "Field and Fern" 

 in the following words : — 



" After working hard for four years among 

 the flocks and herds of England, I was 

 naturally anxious to cross the border, and 

 find new scope for my pastorals. I wished 

 to visit past and present Highland Society 

 winners in their own stall or fold, and to 

 gather evidence from the breeders who stand 

 high in Scottish annals, not only as to the 

 present progress of the stock on which 

 England depends for extensive supplies, but 

 also as to the thoughts and labours of men 

 who have done Scotland good service, and 

 then have passed to their rest. Grouse 

 shooting, deer stalking, and salmon fishing, 

 have their own high lords of the pen ; but 

 still there were many points connected with 

 hunting, coursing, racing, and otter hunting 

 which seemed calculated to work into a picture 

 of Scottish life, and to vary the monotony of 

 mere beef and mutton chapters. 



" Fancy soon faded into reality, and I found 

 that I had set myself a very serious task. I 



