COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 59 



same time ' you would warrant him sound '. He is 

 still lame, and I have had him examined by South 

 of Bond Street, who did not give a very satisfactory 

 certificate. I have now got the horse down here, 

 and this morning have had him examined by our 

 local vet., who says that 'at present he cannot say 

 whether the horse will be permanently lame or not '. 

 I write to ask you, therefore, how we stand. Do 

 you still consider yourself liable to have him returned ? 

 I must tell you candidly I am extremely fond of the 

 horse, and would not part with him for any consider- 

 ation, and if I thought it was only a ' bruise ' in his 

 foot I would not trouble you any further. I heard 

 you say ' he had never been lame before '. Would 

 you oblige me with a line stating your opinion of the 

 horse's lameness, and from what cause, and if you 

 consider him returnable as unsound ? 



" I believe ' Iris' was a great favourite of yours. 

 Be assured that he has fallen into good hands. 



" Believe me, 

 " Yours very faithfully, 



"GEORGE THOMAS." 



I replied : 



" MANCETTER MANOR, ATHERSTONE, 

 "zbth October, 1870. 



" DEAR SIR, 



" I received your letter last night on my 

 return home, and I happened to be in Tattersall's 

 office when Mr. Pain opened your letter on Monday. 

 I am not surprised to hear that 'Iris' is not yet 

 sound, as it must take some time for his foot to 



