COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 97 



but I am, I think, deserving well of the country in 

 making it. You would be the right man in the right 

 place, and all might go on smoothly, without any one 

 feeling the change, except in so far as it is for the 

 better. Had there been fewer foxes I should not 

 have gone on. As it is, I could not afford it always, 

 as it is a very tight fit now ; but seeing so good a man 

 as you out of place, I feel that it is much the best 

 thing, and the right thing to do. I should give up 

 with nothing but pleasant and grateful feelings to- 

 wards the ' kingdom ' and its inhabitants. 

 " I remain, 



" Yours very truly, 

 " (Signed) C. G. Gardyne." 



In consequence of Colonel Gardyne's resolution, 

 a meeting took place at Cupar, 4th February, 1873. 

 At the meeting, in referring to my exchange of 

 letters with Colonel Gardyne, I stated that in my 

 reply I asked the Colonel to do entirely as he liked 

 best, and said I by no means wished him to resign ; 

 and should he go on with the management, assured 

 him I would do all in my power to help him, adding 

 at the same time that if Colonel Gardyne determined 

 to give up the mastership, I was willing to become 

 the Master of the Hounds with a subscription of 

 £1,000 a year exclusive of my own amount, the 

 country to be hunted at least two days a week, and 

 oftener should the subscription be increased. 



Having agreed to take the hounds on the ist 

 May, I commenced to build the kennels at Harles- 



VOL. II. 7 



