12 REMINISCENCES OF 



amusements, but it is one which few become masters 

 of, and only one in a hundred is able to conduct 

 to the satisfaction of those who join in it. Mr. Bright 

 once said he would stand at Temple Bar, and that 

 the first 300 men who passed would be better 

 Members of Parliament than those who then sat in 

 Westminster. But, good or bad, they would be 

 a troublesome lot to manage, but not more so 

 perhaps than the assembly which the Master of the 

 Pytchley has to control many times in a season. In 

 the rifle-shooting world we know the term " all 

 comers," and the character is not unknown at the 

 covert side. Let him be rich or poor, on foot or on 

 horse, he is welcome to all that the best of us can 

 get, and if he should happen to get a good start, and 

 can keep it, he is as happy as any man need be 

 in this world. Such is the unselfish sport of fox- 

 hunting. Gentlemen, I will no longer detain you 

 from the toast which you are ready to receive and 

 and anxious to welcome, " The health of Captain 

 Anstruther Thomson ". I must, however, present to 

 our guest the picture which we all look at with so 

 much pleasure as being a true and faithful portrait 

 of our esteemed friend. It is a tribute of respect 

 carrying with it the best wishes of no fewer than 

 375 gentlemen who have subscribed for it. It is a 

 testimonial from neighbours and friends in return 

 for the unceasing efforts which he made to promote 

 the sport of fox-hunting, and it must be gratifying to 

 him to know that the compliment originated with 

 the large class of farmers whom he has done so much 



