COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 9 



he himself commanded a regiment his rule was 

 general leave to all officers who wanted to go fox- 

 hunting, for he always found that they returned to 

 their military duties with more zeal and more cheer- 

 fulness. The effect of hunting was to raise the 

 spirits and increase the courage of those who engaged 

 in it. 



" The Chairman now rose to give the toast of 

 the evening, and, in doing so, he said : * I have now 

 to propose the most important toast of the evening. 

 But before paying this tribute of respect from the 

 chair, and before presenting the testimonial, which 

 it is my duty to present, I wish to mention some 

 friends of our own, and some friends of our guest, 

 who are unavoidably absent, but who wish to express 

 their satisfaction at the compliment now being paid 

 to Mr. Anstruther Thomson. The first letter which 

 I will read is one from Lord Spencer. It is written 

 to Mr. Liddell, whom all will gratefully remember in 

 connection with this dinner, for its success is princi- 

 pally owing to his exertions. Lord Spencer says : 

 " My dear Liddell, — Nothing would have given me 

 greater pleasure than to have been able to accept the 

 invitation which the committee of the ' Pytchley 

 Testimonial Fund ' so kindly made to me through 

 you. You know how fond I am of our Pytchley 

 hunting, and to be among the various members of 

 the county at a dinner given to Thomson would be 

 a great pleasure to me. I always admired his ex- 

 cellence as a sportsman, and, as a personal friend, 

 should much like to be present on an occasion so 



