Colonel anstrutber Ubomson sss 



the avowed intention of staying there. But when Lord 

 Spencer resigned the Mastership of the Pytchley in 

 1864, Mr Anstruther Thomson received the following 

 letter from his old friend Major Whyte Melville, which 

 upset his plans : — 



' Wootton Hall, Feb. 26th, 1 864. 

 * My Dear Jack, — Under the influence of a ripping 

 fifty minutes over grass, up wind, and all just as it ought 

 to be, I write you a line as a feeler about our country. 

 I have only just heard that you have really given up the 

 " Fife." I know your habits so well that I am quite sure 

 that you will not be happy without a pack of hounds ; 

 and, indeed, the longer I live the more cause I have to 

 agree with Mr Jorrocks " that all time is wasted that is 

 not spent in hunting." Now, do you think that you 

 would like this Pytchley country ? We shall have no 

 Master after this season, as Spencer has quite decided 

 to give the hounds up. You know the " pros " and 

 the " cons " of the Pytchley as well as I do. It has the 

 best woodlands in the world. You can hunt from 

 August to May, both inclusive, as they say. The dis- 

 advantage is the crowd on a Wednesday, which you 

 also know, from your experience with the Atherstone, 

 does not do half the mischief it appears as if it ought to 

 do. If there is a scent it is soon disposed of; if not, 

 you have to feel your way. From what I see, I am sure 

 that if you care to take the country you will be well 

 supported. I am not, however, writing under authority, 

 only between ourselves. We have a capital pack of 

 hounds, although it is the fashion to abuse them. They 

 can hunt as well as race. I think that you would enjoy 

 riding over these grass fields as much as the hunting in 

 the deep woodlands on the Kettering side. 



