AND STmLINGSHIRE HUNT 



this proposal being carried into effect, and the 

 hounds remained at Laurieston. 



Thus for the second time Colonel Gillon had 

 stepped gallantly into the breach, and carried on 

 the hunting of the country at a critical period. 

 But there being an end of all things, his retire- 

 ment sooner or later was a certainty, and after 

 one more season had passed, he finally intimated his 

 resignation. The letter which he then addressed 

 to the Hunt committee — a letter full of character- 

 istically kind and sportsmanlike feeling — was read 

 at a meeting of the Hunt, held on the 17th of 

 March 1869, shortly before the season ended. 



Wallhousb, March 17th, 1869. 



Gentlemen, — I had hoped to be able to attend the 

 meeting to-day, but regret that, owing to my present state, 

 I am unable to do so. 



I now beg to thank you most heartily for all your great 

 kindness and consideration during the time I have had the 

 hounds, and for all the trouble you have taken on my 

 account. May I ask your chairman to return for me my 

 best thanks to the subscribers, absent as well as present, 

 who have liberally and warmly supported me during my 

 term of office. 



At the same time I would tender my grateful thanks 

 to the landed proprietors, owners of coverts, farmers and 

 tenant farmers, for the countenance and support they have 

 so generously shown me. 



I have striven to show sport and keep up the credit of 

 the old establishment, but I am quite aware of my many 

 failings and shortcomings, for which I crave indulgence. 



I am glad to learn there is every prospect of hounds 

 being kept up in this country. Whoever may be the 



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