The use of the bow lingered longer in Lancashire than in some parts of the kingdom--longer in England generally than many people suppose.

Sir Walter Scott says, in a note to his "Legend of Montrose:" "Not only many of the Highlanders in Montrose's army used these antique missiles, but even in England the bow and quiver, once the glory of the bold yeomen of that land, were occasionally used during the great civil wars." But I have said enough upon this subject in this place.

My friend's business, and mine, in Wigan, that day, was connected with other things.

He was specially wishful that I should call upon an acquaintance of his, who lived in "Hardy Butts," an old man and very poor; a man heavily stricken by fortune's blows, yet not much tamed thereby; a man "steeped to the lips" in poverty, yet of a jocund spirit; a humorist and a politician, among his humble companions.

I felt curious to see this "Old John," of whom I heard so much.