COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 393 



''Private. 



" Delaware, Lymington, Hants, 

 " \Hh February, 1869. 



" My Dear Thomson, — 



" I understand you give up the Pytchley at 

 the end of this season ; that one reason for your 

 giving up is on account of Mrs. Thomson's health ; 

 that she requires a milder climate, I believe the 

 New Forest country is vacant, and it may appear 

 absurd asking you to take it, for it is certainly a 

 wretched country, and a good deal spoilt since the 

 days I hunted it ; still it is a good scenting country, 

 and a man so fond of real hunting as you are might 

 be tempted to try it. It is a cheap country to hunt, 

 and if a man would hunt it four days a week, al- 

 ways hunting one day a week the north side of the 

 country, Salisbury and Romney side, I think he 

 would get a subscription of close on ^1,000, and 

 it would not cost more than ^1,200, so that the 

 Master would not be much out of pocket, particu- 

 larly if he hunted the hounds himself, which of course 

 you would do. 



" I am glad to hear you have shown such sport 

 in Northamptonshire. I very seldom see a pack of 

 hounds now — sometimes Billy mounts me. He still 

 goes out, but I should say more for exercise than 

 anything else, as he hardly ever sees a hound after 

 they find ; still he enjoys it in his own way. He has 

 got a capital house, Wortley Park near Winchester, 

 and lives very comfortably. 



