220 REMINISCENCES OF 



" CAMBO, CRAIL, SCOTLAND, 

 "January, 1888. 



" My DEAR JACK, 



" On Tuesday evening your absence from 

 the hunt was universally regretted ; who started it I 

 cannot say, but all present took up the cry (like 

 hounds taking up a line on the way to cover). Well, 

 they said to me, ' Will you ask him to become an 

 honorary member?' I said, 'It would hardly come 

 well from me. As you all know, he is one of my 

 dearest friends ; should such a proposition not come 

 from the club?' Then they said to Stair, 'Will 

 you write and ask him ? ' He thought it over and 

 said, ' It is no use paying an empty compliment ; it is 

 a delicate question '. Then he said to me, ' If you 

 will undertake to find out Jack's wishes nothing will 

 give me greater pleasure than to carry out the wishes 

 of the club '. We had a large meeting eighteen, I 

 think and the motion of getting you back was 

 unanimous. The question of precedents was gone 

 into ; that is all right. So now I have done what 

 was put upon me to the best of my ability, and 

 whether you accept or not, I am glad to have had 

 the chance of letting you know the opinion of a very 

 representative meeting of the hunt. Of course if 

 you accept I shall be much more glad. 



" I am, 

 " Very affectionately yours, 



"Tnos. ERSKINE." 



Present at the dinner : Lord Stair, John Hamilton 

 of Dalzell, Dick Oswald of Auchencruive, Sir G. 



