COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 341 



to cattle in hunting, it being a means of bringing the 

 cattle plague. I have 103 bullocks on my farm, 

 almost the whole in the fields, and I dare not put 

 them in yards, as when one gets the plague there 

 they all die, if they are together. I shall consider 

 it a great favour if you would drop a line to say I 

 need not fear. Hoping you will excuse me troubling 

 you, 



" From your obedient servant, 



" George Emery." 



" PiTSFORD, 



" Thursday, 28ih December, 1865. 



" Dear Sir, — 



" In consequence of your letter having been 

 directed to Brixworth, I did not receive it till after 

 I. had left home yesterday morning, and I did not 

 return till too late for the post. 



" I should be very sorry to be indirectly the 

 means of doing any damage to your stock or of 

 putting you to any inconvenience. I shall, there- 

 fore, for the present, avoid crossing your land as far 

 as I possibly can, and I will not draw the coverts at 

 Staverton to-morrow. 



"Although I trust and believe that your fears 

 are groundless as to hounds being the means of 

 conveying the cattle plague, I have acceded to your 

 request in deference to your wishes, and shall be much 

 obliged if you will consider this letter as private. 

 " Believe me, 



" Yours truly, 



" J. Anstruther Thomson." 



