246 REMINISCENCES OF 



with no little pleasure, and forward to the long 

 road journey before me with an equal amount of 

 horror. 



" At Auchterarder I had a cup of tea and 

 * Crump ' a lot of gruel. I landed him at Lawers 

 (by-the-bye, fording the river) at 7.30 p.m., cool and 

 fresh and beating my better half by a good half-hour. 

 My good horse fed well, and was as fresh as a two- 

 year-old on Sunday morning. 



" I fear you would have no sport to-day ; but as 

 it looks like rain to-night, it may be a better day for 

 the sports to-morrow. I hope you will have the best 

 of luck. And now allow me to thank you very much 

 for the many delightful days' sport I enjoyed with 

 your hounds — my enjoyment was ever doubly en- 

 hanced by seeing you in the field. Last night, when 

 dining with a neighbour, we had a long talk about 

 getting up a pack of hounds in this country, Auchter- 

 arder as headquarters. I think the thing might be 

 accomplished in time, and if I knew how, I would 

 make an effort for such a good purpose. What is 

 the first thing to be done in making a hunting 

 country, securing subscriptions, etc. ? 



"We will always feel the liveliest feelings of 

 gratitude for the kindness we received in Fifeshire 

 this winter, and praying you may long be spared as 

 the leader of religious feeling, of manly sports and 

 honest English thoughts, 



" Believe me, 



" Yours very truly, 



"David R. Williamson." 



