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It was with a light heart and a pleasing consciousness of holiday that I set out from the inn at Allermuir to tramp my fifteen miles into the unknown. I walked slowly, for I carried my equipment on my back-my basket, fly-books and rods, my plaid of Grant tartan (for I boast myself a distant kinsman of that house), and my great staff, which had tried ere then the front of the steeper Alps. A small valise with books and some changes of linen clothing had been sent on ahead in the shepherd's own hands. It was yet early April, and before me lay four weeks of freedom twenty-eight blessed days in

which to take fish and smoke

the pipe of idleness. The Lent

term had pulled me down, a
week of modest enjoyment there-
after in town had finished the
work; and I drank in the sharp
moorish air like a thirsty man
been forwandered
who has
among deserts.

I am a man of varied tastes
and a score of interests.
As an
undergraduate I had been filled
with the old mania for the com-
plete life. I distinguished my-
self in the Schools, rowed in my
college eight, and reached the
distinction of practising for
three weeks in the Trials.
had dabbled in а score of
learned activities, and when
the time came that I won the
inevitable St Chad's fellowship
on my chaotic acquirements,
and I found myself compelled

1 Copyright in the United States of America. VOL. CLXV.-NO. DCCCCXCIX.

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