Pedestrianism

FAVOURITE PURSUITS. 213 would have experiencedthe samedifficulties that others have done. The life of a country gentleman, almost every where, but especially in Scotland, pre­ sents little variety,and unlesshe shall occupy himselfwith ruralaffairs, or entertain a pas­ sion for literary pursuits,he possessesno means of relievingthe vacuity of his situation, but such asarisefromfieldsports. Capt. Barclay, at an early periodof his life, kept a pack of fox-hounds, withwhich he hunted in Kincar­ dineshire. But having engaged deeply in the improvementof his estate, he renouncedhis packfor more seriousconcerns, to which, for severalyears,he wholly devotedhis attention. Having completed thosemeasuresof improve­ ment, however, whichhe had so laudably un­ dertaken, and his estate being broughtto a systemof management that requiredlittle ex­ ertion on his part, he entered into the service of his country, and obtaineda commission in the 23d regiment. He went to the continent in the year 1805, his regimentforming partof .LordCathcart'sarmy, which wassent for the pro-