COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 301 



mixed feelings — feelings of pride, of regret, and of 

 gratitude ; — of pride, that my friends thought me 

 worthy to represent them ; of regret, that the issue 

 of the contest by their exertions has not been brought 

 to a more favourable conclusion ; and of gratitude to 

 you all for the kindness which you have individually 

 displayed towards me. I can assure you, gentlemen, 

 I now with the greatest respect beg to take my 

 leave of you, assuring you whether in public life or 

 in private life that I am ready at all times to devote 

 myself to the good of our county." (Cheers.) 

 John Blackwood wrote : — 



''April, 1864. 



" Dear Mrs. Thomson, — 



" Allow me to congratulate you and Mr. 

 Thomson on the admirable appearance he made at 

 Cupar. It was an uncommonly clear and telling 

 statement. I had anticipated your feelings about 

 the want of support in the press, and tried to rouse 

 Ayton to take you in hand, and he had promised to 

 try. I wrote to him and sent a file of papers, but 

 the same evening came the news of the withdrawal. 

 I suppose it was wise. 



"In fact, we had been out of office for fully 

 thirty years, and Scotsmen do not become converts 

 to a party in that position. I hope, however, Mr. 

 Thomson will try again, when there is time to work 

 up the constituency and things look brighter. 



" Believe me, 



"Yours, 

 " John Blackwood." 



