COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 395 



V.W.H.— Wharton Wilson's letter : — 

 ''Private. 



" Ablington, Fairford, 



^^ 28th January, 1869. 



" Dear Thomson, — 



"If you are really leaving the Pytchley, 

 and intend hunting any other country, will you come 

 here ? I have not as yet said a word to any one of 

 my intention, but I must be out of it at the end of 

 the season. My father is getting an old man, and I 

 want to be more independent and able to be with 

 him than I am. 



" Now, I have got a capital pack of hounds, and 

 will either lend them to you for three years, leaving 

 them entirely under your control, or sell them to you. 

 I think the people in the country are well satisfied 

 with them. All is as straight and right as can be, 

 and there are plenty of foxes everywhere. The sub- 

 scription ^1,100, and the hounds, stables and country 

 free. 



" A house could be got at Coates, which is a 

 mile and a half from the kennels. If you think of 

 this, come down to me, and I will tell you all I know 

 unreservedly. I have no intention of giving up my 

 place here, but only want to be more at liberty than 

 I can be now. Kindly consider this private, at all 

 events for a week. 



" Yours sincerely, 



" Matthew W. Wilson." 



Tedworth. — Letter from Lord A. St. Maur, 

 afterwards Duke of Somerset :— 



