One or two of the guests, however, whether from their abstinence or their superior strength of head, were walking up stairs, and declined the proffered assistance.

The attendants were quite astonished, and indignantly exclaimed, "Agh, it's sare cheenged times at Castle Grant, when shentlemens can gang to bed on their ain feet." There was a practice in many Scottish houses which favoured most injuriously the national tendency to spirit-drinking, and that was a foolish and inconsiderate custom of offering a glass on all occasions as a mark of kindness or hospitality.

I mention the custom only for the purpose of offering a remonstrance.

It should never be done.

Even now, I am assured, small jobs (carpenters' or blacksmiths', or such like) are constantly remunerated in the West Highlands of Scotland--and doubtless in many other parts of the country--not by a pecuniary payment, but by a _dram_; if the said dram be taken from a _speerit_-decanter out of the family press or cupboard, the compliment is esteemed the greater, and the offering doubly valued.
A very amusing dialogue between a landlord and his tenant on this question of the dram has been sent to me.