COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 157 



CHAPTER VI. 



JACK RUSSELL. 



1879. In March the Rev. J. Russell came to 

 visit us at Charleton. 



"ToRDOWN, i^th March, 1879. 



" MY DEAR JACK, 



" I am just starting for Trafalgar Lawn, 

 and will report progress before I close this letter. 

 I have so made up my mind to start on Monday 

 morning for the Land o' Cakes, that I shall not only 

 be grieved on Bury's account, but sadly disappointed 

 on my own, if I cannot do so. As you do not hunt 

 till Wednesday, I shall take it quietly, and sleep in 

 London ; if I do make a start of it on Monday 

 night, a young widow, whom I am engaged to marry 

 not to myself, but to another will, I know, take 

 me in and do for me. She is a sister of Froude 

 Bellew's wife, and a big 'un for a youngster ! All 

 kind regards. 



" Yours for ever affectionately, 



" J. RUSSELL. 



" Trafalgar Lawn, 5.45. Bury is mending, 

 though not well enough to leave his bed, but he 

 wishes me to go to you on Monday, and so I shall 

 start accordingly, at least I hope so." 



