COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 157 



very tight, and I couldn't get into them. His valet, 

 a tall pompous man with a powdered head, said, "If 

 you please, sir, Sir Theophilus Biddulph is a very 

 tall gentleman, perhaps his trousers would fit you." 

 I said, " I don't know Sir Theophilus Biddulph, but 

 I shall be very glad to wear his trousers ". The 

 valet went downstairs into the drawing-room where 

 fifteen people were assembled for dinner. Mr. 

 Newdegate was sitting by the fire talking to a lady. 

 The servant went up to him and said, " Could I 

 speak to you, if you please, sir ? " Newdegate took 

 no notice, on which he repeated it. " Well, George, 

 what is it ? Out with it ! " He stood to attention, 

 and said in a loud voice, "If you please, sir, Captain 

 Thomson says if he had Sir Theophilus Biddulph's 

 trousers he could come down to dinner," which was 

 received by the assembled company with much 

 mirth. The trousers were brought to me, and I 

 got into them, but Theophilus being very stout, they 

 were rather large round the waist. With the help 

 of a packing needle and some twine we took up some 

 reefs behind, and I was going down to dinner, when, 

 luckily, I met my own servant on the stairs with my 

 own garments. I quickly changed and ran down. 

 They were all prepared to greet me with jeers, but 

 they found me properly clothed and in my right 

 mind. 



In 1854 I thought that a change might be desir- 

 able, and I had always a fancy for the Vale of White 

 Horse. 



1 8th February. Harry Villebois having decided 



