COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 45 



Emiliani, a celebrated violin player, was in Edin- 

 burgh, and he delighted to get him to accompany 

 him. 



He rode in the military steeplechase at North- 

 ampton in 1841 previous to going to China with 

 Lord Saltoun. I think I can see him now, after the 

 race, with a red worsted comforter round his neck, a 

 hunting cap, and his knuckles covered with blood 

 from contact with the bullfinches, and saying " It was 

 capital fun ". 



On his return from China a dinner was given to 

 him by the members of the Club at St. Andrews. 

 The toast of the family at Kilgraston was entrusted 

 to me, and I said: "We have all met here to do 

 honour to our noble guest, who has served his coun- 

 try well and done his duty ; but we also are assembled 

 here as a party of gentlemen to welcome our old 

 friend and playfellow, and it is very gratifying to 

 find that this successful General, who has led vic- 

 torious armies, is still our old friend, the same frank 

 Hope Grant, the same genial hearty good fellow. 

 Sir Francis has also made a name for himself. His 

 works will exist when this generation has passed 

 away, and his name will be handed down to posterity 

 among the great artists of his country. I now turn 

 last, but not least, to the genial Laird of Kilgraston. 

 No mean artist himself, a keen golfer, a first-rate 

 sportsman, in every good work always ready to 

 assist by advice and example, he possesses all the 

 qualifications of a true country gentleman. Nor 

 must we forget the amiable lady who presides over 



