HISTORY OF THE LINLITHGOW 



of their number, to audit the statements of the 

 treasurer's intromissions with the funds, which, 

 after being carefully examined, were formally doc- 

 queted and signed by him. 



With the dawn of the 19th century the Hunt 

 rapidly gained popularity, for the majority of 

 the landowners in the country, although compara- 

 tively few of them actually took part in the 

 chase, were encouraging the sport for the sake 

 of their friends, and in so doing, were setting 

 an example which could hardly fail to be followed 

 by others. So, it may be conceived, many who 

 were possessed of a desire to hunt w^ere led to 

 gratify it, and many more "who at first may have 

 been disposed to regard the sport with disfavour, 

 were induced to adopt a tolerant and even a 

 kindly attitude towards it. In course of time, 

 no doubt, such of the farmers as could afford to 

 keep a horse suitable for the purpose indulged 

 in a day with the hounds, while the arrival, 

 passing, or departure of the pack with its fol- 

 lowers would then, as now, be a matter of interest 

 and excitement to the villagers and country folk. 

 Thus the Hunt had its bearing on the social 

 life of the district, and having given birth to 

 one form of social gathering — for some years past 

 it had been customary for the members to dine 

 together periodically at the Hunt Inn, Linlithgow 

 — it was not long in producing another, the Hunt 

 ball, which, as time went by, came to be a more 



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