274 JFIELD AND FERN. 



rule is so rigid, that at present there are forty-one 

 candidates, including a duke, a marquis, three earls, 

 eight lords, an honourable, and six baronets biding 

 their turn. Mr. Sharpe is the only honorary mem- 

 ber, in consideration of his services as secretary for 

 more than thirty years to the Club. Mr. Giilespie 

 succeeded him in '62, Mr. Campbell of Blythswood 

 is the present preses, and Col. Mure the treasurer. 



The two latter officers and three counsellors (who 

 seem to have no denned duties) are chosen every 

 year, and four form the wine committee, who have to 

 report in writing on the state of the cellar to the 

 December meeting. The entrance-fee is forty 

 guineas, and the annual fee ten; and the ordinary 

 club meetings are held once a month for six months 

 in the year over the mahogany at the Douglas Hotel 

 in Edinburgh, where a saddle of mutton (blackface, 

 of course) is the standard dish. In short, it is one 

 of those grand old-fashioned institutions which struck 

 its tap-root deep in the last century, and, except 

 in its racing, knows no decay. 



The Hunt had once the choice of eight places ; 

 but Aberdeen, Stirling, Cupar, and Dumfries have 

 gradually disappeared from the roll. There was no 

 regular rotation preserved ; but if a neighbourhood 

 wished to have it, the country leaders put on a strong 

 whip at the December meeting of the Club in Edin- 

 burgh ; and on one occasion the fair canvassers were 

 so active, that forty-five members were mustered 

 to vote. 



