Reviews

Deer Forests.
“The Closing Of The Highland Mountains.”

(E. A. Baker:- The Independent Review: Sept., 1904 – T. Fisher Unwin.)

It may be stated with confidence that most mountaineers would welcome the opportunity of being allowed to roam and scramble on the incomparable mountains of Scotland, even “on sufferance,” and would sympathise with any movement towards securing such a privilege.  Still, why should legislation be called in? Cannot this vexed question be settled by an amicable compromise? Mr. Baker, however, will entertain no compromise, unless it be of the nature of Harry East’s famous “Brown compromise,” spoken of by Tom Hughes, as embodied in Mr. Bryce’s Bill.  The attack is skilfully made and vigorously urged; nevertheless, on the main issue it is difficult to agree with Mr. Baker.

It is notorious that the bearing of some of the proprietors has not been considerate, and that of their foresters has at times amounted to arrogance.  At these Mr. Baker hits out with great force and precision.  Still it is possible that the attitude of the owners is due to a misapprehension as to the class with whom they are dealing: they might, however, remember that discourtesy, exhibited by themselves or encouraged in their servants is neither politic nor gentlemanly.  Civility costs nothing: incivility ought to cost a man his place.  Trespassing is, of course, an indictable offence, but surely, as Mr. Baker assures the public frequently happens, the “holding up” of a man on the King’s highway is a far more serious one.

Again he complains, that deer forests are extending, and the despotism of their occupiers, summer after summer, grows yet more intolerable.  Certainly, to mountaineers, the closing of Buchaille Etive is outrageous.  It is to be hoped the action was dictated by a not inexcusable misconception.

So far it has happily been possible to agree with Mr. Baker, but now the parting of ways is reached: it is perhaps safe to assume, however, that Mr. Baker alone is not responsible for the introduction of some of the arguments:-

“Is it a point of no importance that these millions are not spent on any productive object, or anything likely to be of permanent benefit to the people?” is asked.  Yet it is written in Handbooks on Political Economy that money once put into circulation will in all probability somehow, at some time, benefit the people.  And, a few lines further back, a sarcastic reference is made to “red-herring dodges.” But there is, apparently, a remedy:- “if a rational distribution of the land were given to the people for purposes of cultivation its  value would be increased tenfold.” Alas for the lost vineyards of An Teallach and eke the waving cornfields of Kinderscout!  It is very certain, however, that, if the proposition were correct, the rational distribution would have taken place long ago.  The highland proprietor who would content himself with two shillings where he could make a sovereign would be difficult to find.  Where he is wealthy enough to indulge in the luxury, he prefers to shoot his own stags: where pride, position, and pence are not all on the same high level he puts the land to the only profitable use he can.  As a matter of fact, it is common knowledge that the vast majority of the acres covered by deer forests and grouse moors are either not amenable to cultivation at all, or will not repay its cost.  Deer forests have become a very valuable asset and a real commercial interest.

But, it is argued, “in the large majority of cases the deer forests will not be materially injured if the proposal of the hon. member for Aberdeen be carried out.” This, even in respect of possible injury to the sport, is a hard saying.  There is, however, another side to the question, the financial.  The leading agents in London, men who of all others are experts on the £. s. d. interests involved, are of opinion that if Mr. Bryce’s Bill were carried the market value of deer forests would sink to nil.  This feature of the question would seem to have been, largely ignored.  Heedless of the fact that not only the proprietors, but the innocent agents, foresters, and hundreds of others would suffer (for a heavy financial loss is like a circle on the water), the promoter of the Bill has proclaimed :- “The landlord, who has received much more than his grandfather ever expected to receive, must not complain if that enormous unearned increment were, after all these years, somewhat reduced by the resumption of their rights by the people: ” which, if it means anything, means this:- that if a man’s grandfather had years ago bought some suburban property, say, at a few shillings an acre, which, owing to the extension of a neighbouring city, had increased in value to several pounds an acre, he must not complain if his present income is reduced by the resumption by the people of their rights to trespass on or otherwise injure his property.

The habits of the red deer are revealed in a new light.  It has been written by experts that he who observeth not the wind shall not get a shot.  Apparently they are all wrong.  All these long stalks, all the muzzling through peat bogs, all that lying, like Caliban upon Setebos, flat on one’s belly in a chilly pool, not venturing to move: all these things are mistakes, quite unnecessary.  All the sportsman has to do is to pose as a, “mere passer by,” and the red deer will only be a little disturbed.  How many head he would secure in a life time, if he adopted the new method, is another question.

If it were certain that Mr. Baker were right and that the “people who will actually take advantage of the freedom …. will be an intelligent and reasonable class, who will not be likely to interfere with the rights of others,” it would be possible to regard Mr. Bryce’s Bill with more complacency.  What some trippers are and what they can do, scores of polluted spots on the fair face of Britain declare.  Worse still is the speculator who caters for their pleasure.  Let him get his nose in and there is no saying what trouble will follow.  The projected scheme of a coach road over the Stye is an eloquent warning.  Mr. Baker’s zeal has carried him too far.  He knows the danger.  In “Moors, Crags and Caves” he has warned us to avoid Black Rocks, Cromford, when trippers are about, and laments over the restrictions at Ludchurch owing to the action of Yahoos in firing the heath.  Imagine his remorse if he found he had cut with his pen the first sod of a railway up the Cairngorms!

As a matter of fact there is no absolute need for an Act of Parliament at all.  What is wanted is a reasonable concession.  Mountaineers have not the slightest desire to spoil sport, but it may be taken for granted that they would wish to be allowed a chance of pursuing their favourite pastime on these forbidden peaks, provided they treat with respect the rights and wishes of owners.  The simplest remedy would seem to be that the British climbing community should memorialise the large owners with a view to obtaining such concession.  It need not be a general permit for all climbers at all seasons, but a general understanding.  For instance, if a party of climbers wished to visit a certain mountain, they would write to the owner or his agent for permission.  Then, if there were no intention of shooting over that part of the forest, within a reasonable interval, say, a week, of such visit, such permission might be given graciously.  If not, it would be simple courtesy on the part of the agent to point out some part of the forest accessible at the time.  Owners would probably find on inspection that ‘ climbers are very decent fellows after all.  Any convicted black sheep could be dealt with summarily by his Club Committee, and an undertaking to this effect, could, if desirable, be given.  Some such arrangement might be made in England also, where some of our finest gritstone climbing is barred during the grouse season.  On the day after a shoot, the Downfall might be visited, yea, it might almost be said by a crowd of trippers, without prejudicing sport in any way.  The lover of mountains certainly does not wish to go on the hills “in crowds.” But he does think that he is entitled to reasonable freedom of access to them.  Such a concession would secure in the climbers valuable allies, as anxious as the proprietors themselves to preserve the quiet spirit of the hills.

Claude E. Benson.

The Bernese Oberland. – From The Mönchjoch To The Grimsel. By W. A. B. Coolidge, 1904.
The Central Alps Of The Dauphiny. By W. A. B. Coolidge, H. Duhamel And F. Perrin. Second Edition, Revised. 1905.

(London; T. Fisher Unwin.)

We regard with much interest the second of the Climbers’ Guides to the Oberland.

It deals with the eastern half of the central mass, or that area roughly enclosed in a square the boundary lines of which are from the Mönchjoch to Meiringen, Meiringen to the Grimsel, the Grimsel to Fiesch in the Rhone Valley, and from there to the Mönchjoch again.  The more important groups of peaks therein are the Fiescherhorn, Schreckhorn, Finsteraarhorn, the Oberaar Group, Wetterhörner, and the Dossen Group – including that striking and comparatively recently explored line of peaks the Engelhörner.

In addition to descriptions of the various routes this volume evidences much research in tracing the history of the names of the peaks and passes.

The whole of the Central Alps of the Oberland has now been dealt with in this and the volume previously published.

It is 13 years since the first edition of the Dauphiny Guide Book was issued, and as this has been out of print for several years the authors have thoroughly revised the work and brought its contents up-to-date.  Many new routes and variations are described, the book has been slightly enlarged in size and another departure from the now well-known pocket book form has been made in dispensing with the flap, thus making the book more convenient for the library.

Mr. Coolidge’s unequalled knowledge of the history of the exploration of the Alps, and his personal acquaintance with these sections in particular, give them that character which is so important to the climber who uses them, viz.: trustworthiness.

The Voice Of The Mountains. Edited By Ernest A. Baker And Francis E. Ross.

(London : G. Routledge & Sons [1905].)

A charming, though all too short, anthology of prose and poetry descriptive of mountain scenery and the sentiments g induced by association with it.

It is mostly formed of extracts from the works of writers of recent times.

Readers may miss many favourite passages by well-known authors – notably John Ruskin, but the editors are not always to blame for the omissions, and anyway, the excellent selection given shows much good taste on their part, not the least being the insertion of a beautiful sonnet by Mr. Baker.

The book is fittingly dedicated to Mr. C. E. Mathews, one of our Honorary Members – than whom it would be difficult to name one more likely to be appreciative of its contents, and also to the Members of the Climbers’ Club.

It will be found a pretty little gift book to lovers of the Mountains who will find among its pages many exquisite chords to which their hearts will respond.

Murray’s Handbook For Switzerland, Nineteenth Edition.

(London: Edward Stanford, 1904.)

This new edition more than sustains the high reputation which ‘Murray’ has held for so many years.

It is thoroughly up-to-date in every way, the maps are numerous and excellent, and it contains one of the best and most complete indexes we remember to have seen – a matter of no little importance to the traveller.

Recent Books

Josias Simler Et Les Origines De L’Alpinlsime jusqu’en 1600 By W. A. B. Coolidge. With illustrations and a map. Size 9¾ x 6½, pp. cxcii, 327 and 99. (Grenoble: Allier Frères, 1904.)

The Alps. Described by Sir Martin Conway, painted by A. D. MCCORMICK. With 62 coloured illustrations. Size 9 x 6½, pp. 304. (London: A. & C. Black, 1904. Price 20s. net.)

The English Lakes. Described by Wm. T. Palmer. With 75 coloured illustrations by A. Heaton Cooper. Size 8¾ x 6¼, pp. ix. and 230. (London: A. & C. Black. 1905. Price 20s. net.)

The Bernese Oberland. (Conway and CooIidge’s Climbers’ Guides.) Vol. II. From the Mönchjoch to the Grimsel. By W. A. B. Coolidge. Size 5¼ x 3⅛. pp. xxviii. and 196. (London: T. Fisher Unwin. 1904. Price 10s.) Reviewed on p. 177.

The Central Alps Of The Dauphiny. (Conway and Coolidge’s Climbers’ Guides.) By W. A. B. Coolidge, H. Duhamel and F. Perrin. Second Edition. Size 6½ x 4¼, pp. xv. and 220. (London: T. Fisher Unwin. 1905. Price 7s. 6d. net.) Reviewed on p. 177.

Murray’s Handbook For Switzerland And The Adjacent Regions Of The Alps. Nineteenth edition, completely remodelled and thoroughly revised. With 29 maps and 5 plans. Size 7 x 4½, pp. cvi. and 555. (London: Edward Stanford. 1904. Price 10s.) Reviewed on p. 178.

The Story Of Alpine Climbing. By Francis Gribble. With 20 illustrations. Size 5⅞ x 3⅝. pp. 180. (London: George Newnes, Ltd. 1904. Price 1s.)

Flower Time In The Oberland. By H. D. Rawnsley. Size 7¾ x 5, pp. 352. Glasgow: James MacLehose & Sons. 1904. (Price 5s. net.)

Adventures On The Roof Of The World. By Mrs. Aubrey Le Blond. With over 100 illustrations. Size 9 x 5¾, pp. 350. (London: T Fisher Unwin. Price 10s. 6d. net.)

A Westmorland Village: Story of old Homesteads and “Statesman” Families of Troutbeck By Windermere. By S. H. SCOTT. Illustrated. Size 7⅞ x 5, pp. 278. (London : Constable & Co. 1904. Price 3s 6d. net.)

In Lakeland Dells And Fells. By W. T. Palmer. Size 7½ x 5 pp. vi. and 351. (London: Chatto & Windus. 1903. Price 6s.)

Old-Time Travel: Personal reminiscences of the Continent forty years ago, compared with experiences of the present day. By Alexander Innes Shand. With 41 illustrations by A. H. HALLAM  MURRAY. Size 7⅞ x 5⅞, pp. xii. and 426. (London: John Murray. 1903. Price 12s. net.)

The Misty Isle Of Skye: Its scenery, its people, its story. By J. A. MacCulloch. With 20 illustrations and a map. Size 7⅜ x 4⅞. pp. 320. (Edinburgh: Oliphant Anderson & Ferrier. 1905. Prize 4s. net.)

Through Town And Jungle: Fourteen Thousand Miles awheel among the Temples and People of the Indian Plains. By William Hunter Workman and Fanny Bullock Workman. With 100 illustrations and a map. Size 10¼ x 6½. pp. xxiv. and 380. (London: T. Fisher Unwin. 1904. Price 21s. net.)

Proceedings Of The Yorkshire Geological And Polytechnic Society. Vol XV., Part II. The Underground Waters of Ingleborough. By W. Lower Carter and A. R. Dwerryhouse. With plans, maps and illustrations; also a Bibliography of the Yorkshire Caves by S. W. Cuttriss. (Leeds 1904.)

Yorkshire: The North Riding. Painted and described by Gordon Home. With 32 illustrations in colour. Sq. Demy 8vo. (London: A. & C. Black. 1904. Price 7s. 6d. net.)

Highways And Byways In Derbyshire/. By J. B. Firth. With 74 illustrations by Nelly Erichsen, and 9 maps. Size 7⅞ x 5⅜, pp. xvii. and 500. (London: MacMillan & Co., LTD. 1905. Price 6s.)

The Voice Of The Mountains. Edited by Ernest A. Baker and Francis E. Ross. Size 6⅝ x 4, pp. xxii. and 294. (London: G. Routledge & Sons, Ltd. Price 2s. 6d. net). Reviewed on p. 178.

Coryat’S Crudities. Hastily gobled up in five Moneths travells in France, Savoy, Italy, Rhetia comonly called the Grisons country, Helvetia alias Switzerland, some parts of high Germany and the Netherlands. By THOMAS CORYAT. With facsimile reproductions of the illustrations in the 1611 edition. Two vols. Size 8¾ x 5⅝, pp. xx. and 428, and xi and 436. (Glasgow: James MacLehose & Sons. 1905. Price 25s. net.
A reprint of the original edition of a rare and most interesting book of old-time travel.