COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 329 



hunting the woodlands regularly, and have had fair 

 sport with plenty of foxes. 



" You are most welcome to have the stable-room 

 you ask for at Boughton on the days you hunt in the 

 woodlands. I write by this day's post to Mr. Pain, 

 my agent, to have all things in order for you. 



" My Hounds have had fair sport this season, 

 and occasionally a very good run. I have only 

 been out twice myself as yet, yesterday — a pretty 

 long day — twenty-four miles to Spottiswoode, and 

 fully thirty-eight miles to ride home. 



" We had a very pretty hunting run over the 

 muirs to Longformacus and on to Cranshaw into 

 a large covert in Lord Wemyss' country, and the 

 scent failing, we lost the fox. 



" I should mention to you that there will probably 

 be a party at Boughton to shoot all my coverts for a 

 week, from Monday, 1 2th December, and do so that 

 you may make your arrangements as to hunting. 

 " Believe me, yours most sincerely, 



" BUCCLEUCH. 

 "J. Anstruther Thomson, Esq." 



" HOARCROSS, 



" 20th November, 1864. 



" My Dear Jack, — 



" How are you getting on, and how do 

 you like your country, field, etc. ? I have heard that 

 you have had some sport, but I should think the 

 hounds must have had it to themselves, as your 

 big fields and awful fences must have been impracti- 

 cable in this iron age. Even this part of the world, 



