^4 REMINISCENCES OF 



and I had to stop the hounds. We then found at 

 five minutes to four in Sibson Wolds, and ran a 

 ring over Welsborough Hill to Congerstone, and 

 stopped in the dark. Hounds too fat ; Bailey 

 holloas too much and cannot ride as well as I 

 expected. I shall go with the Pytchley on Wednes- 

 day, and have telegraphed to John Darby to mount 

 me. Baxter was out to-day on his grey horse, 

 which is much improved, and he looked very re- 

 spectable. Bob Harper was the greatest swell out, 

 with a new black coat, blue bird's-eye neck cloth, 

 a bouquet, and faultless boots and breeches. I am 

 going to lunch with him to-morrow. Blackwood was 

 out with his wife in the pony carriage. They dine 

 here to-day, and Donkey Perkins and the Admiral. 

 " I think I have spun my yarn now. 

 " Your aff. father, 



" J. Anstruther Thomson. 



" Old Dick has a cold and is rather seedy. 

 Young Dick very fat, and his breeches so tight 

 it must be a struggle to get out of them." 



Rev. Jack Russell was staying with us at 

 Torquay. I wished to see the staghounds on 

 Exmoor, so he wrote to the master. Fen wick Bisset. 



He replied : — 



" Bagborough, Taunton, 

 " ibth January, 1872. 



" My Dear Russell, — 



" I can't understand any sane man (unless 

 he lives at Oare or Simonsbath, where he can turn 

 into his snuggery at any moment and leave the 



