132 NETHER LOCHABER. 



the spirit of our laws, which accounts a man innocent until he 

 is proved guilty, should be extended to beasts and birds as 

 well. In this view of the matter the water-vole has good reason 

 of complaint that it has been over hastily and unwarrantably 

 condemned on insufficient evidence, without even the form of 

 a fair and impartial trial. Unlike Eitson, the antiquary and 

 balladist, who, although he was a strict vegetarian in diet, holding 

 all manner of animal food in utter abhorrence, and writing a volume 

 on the subject, was yet as cross-grained and as irascible as a 

 wasp, the water-vole, like a true vegetarian, is quiet and unobtru- 

 sive even to timidity, leading an inoffensive life, and in his play 

 hours, which — in proof of his good sense, let us remark — are very 

 numerous, as frolicsome and sportive as a kitten. He will show 

 fight, it is true, if attacked in his hole or otherwise brought to bay, 

 and his bite, whether on the nose of an over-venturesome terrier, or 

 the hand that would rashly seize him, is very severe and difficult 

 to heal ; but it is only doing him the merest justice that those who 

 know him should bear witness that in general character and 

 disposition he is the most peaceable and harmless of animals. 



