COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 327 



" I was very pleased to have the biography, and 

 shall preserve it and the plate, which is a very living 

 and true likeness of Scotland's oldest and greatest 

 fox-hunter. 



" I was very sorry indeed that I was unfit for 

 duty when Mrs. Thomson and yourself honoured us 

 with the visit this season ; but hope, in another 

 season, we may be more fortunate. We have 

 finished the season with very good sport the last two 

 weeks. Our entry, although we lost many of the 

 best, is going to be a very good one. 



" I am quite better now, and beg to remain, Sir, 

 your obedient and humble servant, 



"W. S.IORE." 



Will Shore sent me the following : 



" Old Will's early history is this way. He was 

 born in 1784; became second whip to Mr. Baird 

 of Newbyth ; was seven years second whip and 

 seven years first under John King and old Frank 

 Colleson. He was made huntsman in 1818, and 

 hunted the hounds till the Duke bought them in 

 1825 ; but as the Duke was then a minor Mr. Baird 

 continued to manage them until his Grace came of 

 age in 1827. When Mr. Baillie of Mellerstain 

 resigned the country, the Duke then took it and built 

 the kennels (St. Boswells), and assumed command 

 himself until his death in 1884. Williamson re- 

 signed in 1862. Tom Phillips hunted them one 

 season, when Shore succeeded. Williamson died in 



