COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 401 



the matter, I feel that it is a congenial subject, and 

 that if the subscribers cannot afford the full sum, I 

 should be sorry that a question of price should prevent 

 my doing it if required. 



" Perhaps they could make up 450, and if they 

 cannot do so, I would make them a present of the 

 three hounds, and do J. Thomson on foot with the 

 three hounds for the regular terms of 400 guineas. But 

 they would have to pay half the sum at the first sitting. 



" Yours truly, 



" FRANCIS GRANT." 



"27 PARK STREET, 



" zgth May, 1869. 



" MY DEAR THOMSON, 



" I forward a letter from Sir Francis just 

 received. I do hope the farmers may close with his 

 most liberal offer. It is very natural that they 

 should wish to see you on canvas as they have seen 

 you on the field, but it is not to be done for reasons 

 I stated in a former letter. 



" I hope Mrs. Thomson's health continues to 

 improve, in spite of this dreadful weather, and that the 

 other members of your family are well. 



" We had a dinner of old friends on Thursday at 

 Sir Hope Grant's, and it would have done you good 

 to see Melville and the Laird of Kilgraston in such 

 spirits. As for Melville, though in years the oldest 

 of the party, he was in joviality the youngest. 



" Believe me, 

 " Ever very sincerely yours, 



" CHARLES EARLE." 

 VOL. i. 26 



