CHAPTER IV. 



THE THREE LAIRDS. THE HUNT CLUB. 



1825-1830. 



How unfortunate it is that the hounds ever came 

 to be sold. The good sport which the Lothian and 

 E-.A.L.D.S. packs have shown, instead of satisfy- 

 ing, has strengthened, the desire of those now 

 hunting, and has brought home to the country- 

 most forcibly the want of hounds of its own. 

 Many of the members have for some time past 

 wished for, and even contemplated, a revival of 

 the old Hunt, and it now only remains that some 

 one should take the initiative in order to bring 

 this about ! 



Some thoughts such as these must have passed 

 through the minds of Mr Johnston and Mr Gillon 

 during the summer of 1824. Probably upon many 

 different occasions they had discussed the feasi- 

 bility of renewing the establishment, weighed all 

 the pros and cons, summed up those whom they 

 knew would support such a movement, as well 

 as those whom they considered would be likely 



87 



