HISTOEY OF THE LINLITHGOW 



to do so, and finally decided that they them- 

 selves would take the first steps towards this end. 

 Thus resolved, they must have eagerly watched 

 and waited for a chance of securing any suitable 

 hounds which might be for sale, and when, a little 

 later, it became known that the Earl of Kiutore 

 desired to dispose of the pack which he then 

 had in Kincardineshire, gladly availed themselves 

 of the opportunity, and concluded a bargain for 

 its purchase. No doubt the news of this purchase 

 spread rapidly through the country, but the fact 

 was not formally made known until the 17th 

 of January (1825), when the members of the Hunt 

 met at Linlithgow for the express purpose of con- 

 sidering the situation. Then Mr Johnston re- 

 ported what he and Mr Gillon had done, and ofiered 

 to the Hunt the hounds which they had purchased 

 at the price they had paid for them ; and although 

 this offer was not accepted, it was resolved that 

 the hunting establishment should be renewed, and 

 that the support of the noblemen and gentlemen 

 of the district should be sought.^ The minutes 

 of this meeting bear that those present " earnestly 

 recommend to the members at large, to enable 

 these gentlemen [Mr Johnston and Mr Gillon] to 

 resume and continue the establishment by afford- 

 ing them their countenance and support, and to 

 enter into a liberal subscription for that purpose." ^ 



^ Minute - Book in the custody of Messrs Glen & Henderson, 

 Linlithgow. 

 2 Ibid. 



