CXXXviii AUTOBIOGRAFHY OF 



long German pipes tied up together. Let us 

 then not despair of seeing the day arrive, when 

 parties in pleasure-boats, and travellers by 

 steam on the ocean, and those who bathe in 

 rivers, shall have a Macintosh round their 

 waists, uninflated till the time of danger : and, 

 without the shoulder-straps, which are not 

 essential to its success, the belt would merely 

 have the appearance of a sash; and it would 

 not be more inconvenient than that central 

 ligature in our military uniforms. What a 

 treasure it would prove, when the cramp comes 

 on in bathing, or when the boat capsizes, or 

 when the steamer founders ! 



Although sudden gusts of wind from the 

 wooded hills render sailing extremely perilous 

 here inland, I have never any fears for my only 

 boy when he is in the boat with hoisted sail, 

 provided I see that Macintosh's life-preserver 

 is round his waist. Happen what may, I know 

 that he must always float in perfect safety. 



And now a parting word on Natural His- 

 tory. 



An extensive preserve for every kind of 

 British bird which may choose to take advan- 



