COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 309 



J. Dorrien, Henry Warde, Wm. Davy, Wm. H. 

 Fellowes, J. Warde, R. L. Doughty, J. Thursby, 

 R. Andrew, W. R. Cartwright, E. Bouverie, Samuel 

 Isted. 



" Lord Spencer subscribes ^400 per account to 

 the hounds ; Mr. Warde keeps them and pays the 

 remainder. Pytchley House is also given by Lord 

 Spencer gratis ; Mr. Warde keeping it in repair. 

 The hounds given to the huntsman of the Meynell 

 Hunt by Lord Sefton are sold at three guineas ; 

 the others disposed of are to the account of the hunt. 

 Some Lord Spencer gives in present." 



The following interesting letter was written by 

 Charles Maitland Christie of Durie to my father : — 



" Melton, 28th January, 1822. 



" Dear Thomson, — 



"... I have seen a great deal of excel- 

 lent sport, within twenty-five miles of this place, 

 with the Duke of Rutland's, The Quorn and Lord 

 Lonsdale's hounds. The two first are by Melton 

 men voted the crack packs, but Lord L. generally 

 gives a better account of his foxes than either of 

 them. There is generally a larger turn-out with the 

 two first than with Lord L. , and the lads of character 

 prefer going with them, consequently the hounds are 

 more over-rode and more foxes are lost. A horse 

 soon learns to jump here, for he must be constantly 

 at it when with hounds, but the fences in general are 

 easy, not however, without many exceptions. There 

 are great tracts of country quite delightful, large 



