COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 293 



On 31st October left Bath and went to Sydling. 

 Rachel was with us. 



2nd November. — By-day at Upcerne Wood. I 

 rode " Mainstay," the strongest horse I ever was on ; 

 he bounded about like a lion. Isobel rode " The 

 Drummer," a big grey horse. 



3rd November. — Sydling opening day. Chandy 

 had all the company to breakfast. He mounted me 

 on " Nicholas," a very nice horse (afterwards bought 

 by Sir Thomas Erskine). Isobel and Dorothy 

 hunted on foot. We had a very good gallop, and 

 ran to ground under a road. 



4th. — Melbury. At the meet we heard of George 

 Lane Fox's death. I rode " Drummer," but not 

 having ridden for some time previous, three days' 

 running made me so tired that I went home and 

 went to bed. They had a good run ; Dorothy and 

 Isobel were sent home. She was riding a beautiful 

 cob, " Stranger," and she was so tired she could only 

 walk all the way home. 



9th. — Blackmore Vale ; met near Leigh. I rode 

 " Matchmaker," a four-year-old grey horse ; Isobel 

 rode the grey "Drummer". All Merthyr Guest's 

 men were mounted on grey horses, and most of the 

 field. Spiller, the huntsman, not much good, and 

 the other men useless. No holloaing allowed, and 

 as there was a very bad scent we did nothing. Had 

 a very happy time with Chandy ; and left on 13th for 

 the cottage at Badminton. 



Randolph had become partner with Worcester 

 in Badminton Hounds, but it was not a happy union. 



