COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 229 



really was no hounds that would hunt, and this went 

 on pretty well all through cub-hunting. 



Middleton was a capital horseman, everything 

 well done and well turned out, but he never forgot 

 his harrier training. He had a beautiful voice which 

 he made little use of, and the same toot-toot of the 

 horn went on all day. 



I sent him my whistle, which I had used for 

 thirty-six years, and wrote : — 



" My Dear Jack,— 



" I send you a Christmas present, the most 

 useful I can think of for you. I have had it thirty- 

 six years and it has been invaluable to me. It has 

 killed hundreds of foxes, and I hope will help you to 

 kill many more. If you will use it only as a view- 

 holloa it will save your voice and hounds will come 

 to it more readily than they will to a horn. When 

 you have done with it, hand it on to your successor, 

 as I should like it to be an heirloom to the Master 

 of the Fife Hounds. 



** J. Anstruther Thomson. 



" December, 1888." 



"Balcaskie, Pittenweem, N.B., 

 "20^/? December, 1888. 



" Mv Dear Colonel, — 



" I beg to thank you for your Christmas gift, 

 which arrived all right. I would have written at 

 once, but expected to see you yesterday and to have 

 personally thanked you. I will carry out your re- 

 quest and hand it on to my successor. 



