152 DAYS OF DEER-STALKING. 



There are two hunting lodges in Glen Tilt Forest 

 Lodge, and Marble Lodge. The latter is a mere station ; 

 the former was built in 1776, and has lately been much 

 enlarged. It is constructed without affectation of orna- 

 ment, and consists of two tenements united by a stone 

 screen surmounted by stag's horns, and in which there is 

 an archway for carriages to pass. One of these tenements 

 serves for the lord of the forest and his friebds, and the 

 other for his retinue. The foresters and gillies, however, 

 are so numerous, that I have often wondered by what 

 means so many human beings could be packed together in 

 so close a space. So it is, however : and instead of com- 

 plaining of inconvenience, every man is as happy as if he 

 were sole possessor of the great bed at Ware. As a proof 

 of this good feeling, and the general spirit that pervades 

 the hill-men, I transcribe a song made by Alexander, an 

 old and faithful servant of the late Duke of Atholl, who 

 lived with him eighteen years, and now lies buried in the 

 cathedral at Dunkeld. This composition was sung every 

 night at Forest Lodge when Maddy was there ; and, 

 whatever may be thought of the poetry, is as good an 

 evidence of the sort of thing going on as I can possibly 

 give. Here it is in its pure doggerel state. I have not 

 attempted to spoil its character by the alteration of a single 

 word : 



ON SEEING LORD CATHCART ARRIVE AT BLAIR 

 ONE MORNING EARLY. 



O, Campbell,* man, I muckle dread 



That we shall have a tramp ; 

 The Commander in Chief t so soon^a stear, 



I fear we must flit our camp. 



But if to Felaar we do march off, 



As I muckle dread we may ; 

 Some Athole brose before we go 



Campbell and I shall ha'e. 



* Campbell was cook in the Atholl family upwards of sixty years ; but 

 for several years before he died acted as hill cook only. 



t Lord Cathcart was commander of the forces in Scotland at that time. 



