COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 247 



then too late to change, so off we went. Got out at 

 Daunsey and went to the inn where we waited hours. 

 We got on our gees, I on " Fairy," father on "Har- 

 binger," and dawdled down to the meet at " S wallets 

 Gate," the same place where they met 22nd February, 

 1871, the day of the Great Wood run. The first 

 people we met were Colonel and Mrs. Helm. Nelly 

 and Captain Atherley, Colonel Peter Miles and two 

 or three others were all we knew at first. After 

 hours of weary waiting, Lord Worcester trotted up 

 with the hounds, followed by the Duke and most 

 of the field. We all proceeded to draw a gorse. 

 " Fairy" awfully fresh and peacocked along and was 

 much admired by the Duke. Father committed me 

 to the care of Tom Morgan, Captain Spicer's hunts- 

 man, who told me a good deal about Vincent, etc. 

 Drew gorse ; chopped fox there. Found Great 

 Wood ; fearful ride. Henry Baker (Hardwicke) 

 came and talked to us. Good run ; killed at Webb 

 Wood. Followed Lady Cholmondeley. Drew 

 Dauney Strips ; did not find. My hat came off. 

 Lord Dangan lent me his pin. We arrived at 

 Chippenham and joined Nay and drove to Badmin- 

 ton, leaving our horses to follow with Henderson. 

 We got to Badminton about seven. The Duchess 

 came down the passage to welcome us saying, 

 "How glad I am to see you". She took us into 

 the ante-drawing-room, where we chatted, and then 

 took us upstairs and into my room. Then I and 

 Nay unpacked and dressed. Dinner very late, 

 about nine. The Duke took me in. Mr. Holford 



