discharging the last of those claims, and I am but too thankful to have lived long enough to have done this."

Previously it has been said that amongst the introductions given me by Mr. Drummond was one to Lord Willoughby de Eresby, whose place, Drummond Castle, was within a drive of Ochtertyre. Sir William Murray, deeming that it would be an advantage to me, proposed to introduce me himself. So on the morning following the conversation above related, we started in the phaeton for Drummond Castle.

We had not gone far when Sir William referred to the absence of his servant, and added, "I hear that there is scarlet fever in his house, so I thought it advisable he should keep away from his duties for a few days."

Driving through a beautiful country we reached Drummond Castle (of which I shall have much to say when I come to my second visit to Scotland), and I was introduced to both Lord and Lady Willoughby de Eresby.

On the evening of that day my visit terminated and I went from Ochtertyre to St. Fillans, on Loch Earn, taking with me a large

number of negatives which were obtained during my stay.

It was a lovely drive, charming in its way as anything in Scotland, the valley of the Earn being closed in on both sides with beautiful hills. On the way Aberuchill Castle, Dalchonzie, and Dunira mansions, are passed. St. Fillans is a particularly picturesque village situated close to the Earn, where it issues from Loch Earn. name St. Fillans was that of a great and celebrated Scottish saint, who, it is alleged, possessed a sacred fountain on the top of the singular conical hill which is so conspicuous from the village.

The

Sir Walter Scott, in his introduction to the "Lady of the Lake," writes:

Harp of the north! that mouldering long hast hung On the witch-elm that shades St. Fillans' spring."

One day, during my stay at St. Fillans, news came to us from Ochtertyre: Sir William, it was stated, was unwell. Two days afterwards the landlord of the inn, who for many years had been his keeper, had to tell me the sad news that his old master was dead! He had taken scarlet fever,

J

and was ill only a few days. Instantly my mind reverted both to "the one foot in the grave" photograph, and to that morning's conversation in the valley beneath the house.

By all his neighbours in Crieff, and, indeed, in all parts of Perthshire, Sir William Murray's death was mourned as a grievous and deplorable loss.

St. Fillans and its surroundings are very beautiful, and subjects abound that would please the most fastidious artist. I obtained very many most interesting records of its scenery, and, well satisfied with my visit, the time of my absence from London having expired, I turned south, trusting, at some future time, to utilise the remainder of Mr. Drummond's introductions.

CHAPTER XI.

Berry Hill, Taplow: A charming Place-A Cardboard Model is made to represent a House when built-A Baby and Cot-William Millais and the Eel-bucks--Negatives of Natural Clouds-How Used.

IN the summer of 1862 I made the acquaintance of Mr. Noble of Berry Hill, Taplow, who, some years afterwards, became the owner of Park Place, Henley-a beautiful riverside residence.

Berry Hill was a charming place, and kept to perfection. I remember a guest once saying, "It would be such a relief could one find a dead leaf."

It was not a large place-thirty-five acres, a considerable portion of which was meadow-land, being its entire extent; and yet in and about the pleasure-grounds, so thoroughly did they lend themselves to my requirements, that in one week, working with collodion and a dark tent, I obtained eighty-nine negatives.

One of the most interesting experiences of

my photographic life followed a short time afterwards. Mr. Noble at that time was contemplating the erection of a new house in the grounds of Berry Hill, and had employed Mr. Hardwick, R.A., the architect, to make the design, or, to speak accurately, two designs. From these he had two cardboard models made, than which nothing could have been more perfect. They were not only made to scale, but every moulding or projection was represented in relief.

By the aid of one of the designs, Mr. Noble, on the site upon which he proposed to build his house, had had the ground plan accurately staked

out.

It was then it occurred to him that, with the help of my camera, I might be able to show how the projected houses would look when built. It was for this I had been sent for.

I was shown the models, and taken to the staked-out site, and while there, a lucky thought struck me. I asked if it was possible to obtain four scaffold poles. Possible! why with such a man as Mr. Noble anything was possible!

The scaffold poles were brought, and I had one erected at corner each of the staked-out