COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 385 



arriving, the Fife Mounted Rifle Volunteers marched 

 to the barracks ; the horses were fed in the riding- 

 school, and the officers and men were hospitably 

 entertained by the 8th Hussars, a squadron being 

 quartered there under Captain Mussenden. 



In Yorkshire, Weatherby Show took place on 

 5th August. I went and stayed at Bramham with 

 George Lane Fox, and got first prize with " Iris " 

 and second with " Borderer ". 



"6th August, 1868. 



" MY DEAR THOMSON, 



" I hope to hear nothing is good news, and 

 that Mrs. Thomson is much better, and you relieved 

 from anxiety about the winter. 



"Your beginning the new house was a good 

 sign. Our movements would depend to some extent 

 on yours, for if I had to take a more active part next 

 season, which I devoutly trust will not be the case, I 

 should like to get home to settle early in November, 

 and be on the spot to see how things go on in the 

 woods. It would therefore be a great relief to me to 

 know I need not think more about this. 



" We are much bored at being away from Al- 

 thorpe this glorious weather, but we have a charming 

 villa very suitable for my work at Woolwich. 

 When not on my committee, I feel the want of 

 interests about the place and neighbourhood, which 

 is very Cockneyfied, covered with a network of villas 

 and their gardens. 



" I hope these fine showers may save a few 

 VOL. i. 25 



