FOURTH DAY.

HALIEUS-POIETES-ORNITHER-PHYSICUS.

FISHING FOR SALMON AND SEA TROUT.

Scene

Loch Maree, West of Ross-shire, Scotland.
Time ·Middle of July.

POIET.-I BEGIN to be tired. This is really a long day's journey; and these last ten miles through bogs, with no other view than that of mountains half hid in mists, and brown waters that can hardly be called lakes, and with no other trees than a few stunted birches, that look so little alive, that they might be supposed immediately descended from the bogwood, every where scattered beneath our feet, have rendered it extremely tedious. This is the most barren part of one of the most desolate countries I have ever passed through in Europe; and though the inn at Strathgarve is tolerable, that of Auchnasheen is certainly

the worst I have ever seen,—and I hope the worst I shall ever see. We ought to have good amusement at Pool Ewe, to compensate us for this uncomfortable day's journey.

over.

HAL.-I trust we shall have sport, as far as salmon and sea trout can furnish sport. But the difficulties of our journey are almost See, Loch Maree is stretched at our feet, and a good boat with four oars will carry us in four or five hours to our fishing ground; a time that will not be mis-spent, for this lake is not devoid of beautiful, and even grand,

scenery.

POIET.The scenery begins to improve; and that cloud-breasted mountain on the left is of the best character of Scotch mountains: these woods, likewise, are respectable for this northern country. I think I see islands also in the distance: and the quantity of cloud always gives effect to this kind of view; and perhaps, without such assistance to the imagination, there would be nothing even approaching to the sublime in these countries; but cloud and mist, by creating obscurity and offering a substitute for greatness and distance,