GHTY YKARS' REMINISCENCES \^% 'f/7t THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES r.?;iri.\ ^Zi/f--^ ^ M iO / r i/^' li^^^-^^^ EIGHTY YEARS' REMINISCENCES Digitized by tine Internet Archive in 2007 witii funding from IVIicrosoft Corporation http://www.arcliive.org/details/eiglityyearsremin01anstiala COLONEL J. AKSTKUTHEK THOMSON. From a Photograph by Q. li. Rodger, St. Andrews. EIGHTY YEARS' REMINISCENCES Colonel ANSTRUTHER THOMSON WITH ILLUSTRATIONS IN TWO VOLUMES. VOLUME I. LONGMANS, GREEN, AND CO. 39 PATERNOSTER ROW, LONDON NEW YORK AND BOMBAY 1904 MY WIFE WHOSE ENERGY AND PERSEVERANCE ENABLED ME TO COMPLETE THESE REMINISCENCES CONTENTS CHAPTER PAGE I. The St. Clairs and Thomsons . . . . i II. My Schooldays 5 III. Germany 23 IV. 9TH Lancers '36 V. Queen Victoria's Coronation . . . -52 VI. Hampton Court and Dorchester ... 70 VII. 13TH Light Dragoons 85 VIII. Exeter and Ireland 106 IX. Atherstone : First Time 117 X. Fife : 1849 and 1850 133 XI. Atherstone : Second Time, 1850 . . . 141 XII. The Crimea 160 XIII. Bicester 189 XIV. Fife 219 XV. The Fife Mounted Rifles .... 230 XVI. Derby Day 250 XVII. Henry Loch in China 267 XVIII. Fife Election 295 XIX. Pytchley 312 XX. The Waterloo Run 344 XXI. Johan Erasmus Boehm, afterwards Sir Edgar Boehm 361 XXII. Sale of Pytchley Horses and Leatham Grange 388 Appendix 417 VOL. L b LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS Colonel J. Anstruther Thomson. From a Photograph by G. B. Rodger, St. Andrews ...... Frontispiece Arms of John Thomson of Charleton, Esq., 1786 ..... Vignette on Title-page Arms of James Thomson of Mildaine and Montrybo, 1676. From Heralds' Office, Edinburgh Facing page 1 Hon. Grizel St. Clair, Wife of John Paterson of Preston Hall. From an Oil Painting at Charleton . . ,, „ 2 John Paterson of Preston Hall. From a Miniature Painting on Copper by Madame Vorelse at Charleton . . ,, „ 4 Colonel John Anstruther, 62ND Regi- ment, 1803. From a Painting by Martin at Charleton ....... ,,6 J. Anstruther Thomson, late M.F.H., 1807. From a Water-colour Painting by Douglas at Charleton . . . ,, ,, 8 Midnight March to Lynn, 1842. From a Water-colour Sketch by Soame jfenyns, i^th Light Dragoons . . . . ,, ,,91 iz X ILLUSTRATIONS 13TH Light Dragoons at Dublin, J. A. T. ON "Dhroleen," 1847. From a Water- colour Painting by Michael A ngelo Hayes Facing page 115 Badminton Group, 1857. Photographed at Badminton by Luigi Cella >> >> James, 3RD Earl of Rosslyn. From a Painting at Dysart . . . . ,, ,,219 John Anstruther Thomson of Charleton, 1830. From a Painting by Colvin Smith at Charleton ....... ,, 306 John Walker, Fife Hounds, 1829-1848. From a Photograph, 1866 . . . ,, ,, 334 " Fresco." From a Pencil Sketch in pos- session 0/ the late Tom Firr . . . „ ,,341 •' Valeria." From a Painting by Corbet at Charleton ...... 347 " Rainbow." From a Painting by Corbet at Charleton ...... aro Tom Firr, about 1870. From a Photograph „ „ 356 IN THE TEXT. Sketch of Balaclava Charge . . . Page 179 Plan of the Waterloo Run, 2nd Feb., 1866 .... ,.c >» 345 ARMS OF JAMES THOMSON OF MILDAINE AND MONTRYBO, 1676. ERRATA. Page 65, line 4 from bottom, /or " Masters " read " Musters ". 136, ,, 13, /or " wended " read " mended ". 156, „ ^3, for " Maude " read " Mawe ", 2IO, „ 5 from bottom, /or " Crafton " read " Grafton ", 247. II ^ifor " 1862 " read " 1861 ". 250f II 9 from bottom, /or " Rosslyn" r^od " Loughborough". CHAPTER I. THE ST. CLAIRS AND THOMSONS. Henry St. Clair, eighth Lord Sinclair, married, in 1680, Grizel, daughter of Sir James Cockburn of Cockburn. He had two sons and two daughters. His eldest son, John, Master* of Sinclair, never assumed the title, being attainted for taking part in the rising of 171 5. He died in 1750, leaving no issue, and was succeeded by his brother James, a distinguished General, who also died without issue. Grizel, his eldest daughter, married John Paterson of Preston Hall, son of the Archbishop of Glasgow. John Paterson died in the Fleet Prison, 17 16, the day before he was to have been executed, having been concerned in the rising of 17 15. He had one son, Colonel James Paterson St. Clair, who succeeded him, and one daughter, Margaret, who married, in 1744, John Thomson of Charleton. Colonel Pater- son St. Clair dying without issue, his sister Margaret, wife of John Thomson of Charleton, became heir- general of the Lords Sinclair, and the estate of Dysart went to his cousin, Sir John Erskine of Alva, son of Catherine, second daughter of Henry, eighth VOL. I. I 2 ' REMINISCENCES OF Lord Sinclair, and he left all his personal property to my father. James Thomson of Mildaine and Montrybo (Mil- deans and Montrave) matriculated his arms about 1676. His eldest son, John, married, in 1709, Rachael, daughter of John Brymer of Edrom, in the county of Berwick. Her mother was Mary Bethune of Balfour. Their eldest daughter, Mary, married John Spottiswoode of Spottiswoode, Co. Berwick. In 17 13 he bought the Barony of Charle- ton from Colonel John Hope. The barony consists of the farms of Laddedy, Newbigging of Charleton (now called Newbigging of Ceres), Newbigging of Craighall, Wilkieston and Gathercauld. He also was laird of the lands of Kilmany and Touch, which he left to his younger sons. His eldest son, John (who married Margaret Paterson), succeeded him, built the present house of Charleton about 1760, and then matriculated his arms again as Thomson of Charleton. The old house was called Newton, and was situated where the farm buildings now are. When it was pulled down the " flooring deals" were sent for cradling to the coal pits at Laddedy. They had one son, John, who died at the age of eighteen, and two daughters — Rachel, married to Colonel John MacDonell, Younger of Lochgary, who died young without children, and Grizel, who mar- ried Colonel John Anstruther (my grandfather). Colonel Anstruther joined Wolfe's Regiment in 1756. He was afterwards Major in the 63rd Regi- ment and Colonel in the 62nd Regiment. He served HON. GRIZEL ST. CLAIR, WIFE OF JOHN PATERSON OF PRESTON HALL. COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 3 in the American War in General Burgoyne's division in 1777, was taken prisoner and twice wounded. When he retired from the army he sold his com- mission for ^8,cxx), and bought the farm of Coates, near Charleton, and during the latter part of his life lived at Coates House with his two daughters, Margaret and Catherine. Margaret married General Durham of Largo. John Thomson of Charleton, not having given his consent to his daughter's marriage, took care that Colonel Anstruther should have no benefit, and left the Charleton property to his grandson, my father. He also put into his will that any one succeeding to Balcaskie should forfeit Charleton, and that in case of my father dying without an heir, Charleton should go to the second son of John Spottiswoode of Spot- tiswoode. My father was the eldest son of John Anstruther, second son of Sir Robert Anstruther of Balcaskie, and took the name of Thomson on succeeding to the estate of Charleton on the death of his mother. He was born in 1776, and succeeded to Charleton in 1797. He raised a troop of the Fife Fencible Cavalry, of which regiment his father was Colonel. When they were disbanded the colours were sent to Charleton, where they now are. In 1800 he became Major of the Fife Yeomanry, their Colonel being Morrison of Naughton, to whom my father succeeded in command in 1807. He was Master of Hounds for three years (1803-1806), the kennels being at Charleton. He gave the hounds to 4 REMINISCENCES OF the county on retiring from the mastership, and they were the origin of the Fife pack. My father married, in 1807, Clementina, daughter of the Right Honourable William Adam of Blair Adam, Baron of Exchequer, and of the Hon. Eleanora Elphinstone, sister to Lord Keith. He had five daughters and two sons, of which I was the elder. Old Fife Yeomanry Song, written during the Peninsular War. CORNEL TAMSON. Come a' ye jolly Britons, I pray you lend an ear ; Cheer up your noble courages and enter Volunteers ; Come, enter Volunteers, brave boys, and fight for your Queen, And when we are returned, in whisky we will swim. We're the Light Horse of Fifeshire, sae merrily we'll go Along with Cornel Tamson, that valiant hero. Our coats they are of blue, brave boys, our jackets are of red, A glittering cap and feathers we wear upon our head ; A noble horse to ride upon ; ten guineas in advance ; And sae merrily we'll go, brave boys, we'll lay the pride of France. We're the Light Horse of Fifeshire, etc. And now the time is come, brave boys, when we must cross the seas ; We'll fight both France and Flanders and foreign countries With glittering swords and pistols : we'll do the best we can, And make the Frenchmen tremble when they see a Fifeshireman. We're the Light Horse of Fifeshire, etc. And when the wars are ended, and God spare our lives, We'll bring vast sums of money to our sweethearts and our wives ; We'll push about the flowing bowl, successes we will sing — Here's a health to Cornel Tamson and all his valiant men : We'll push about the flowing bowl, successes we will sing — Here's a health to Cornel Tamson and God save the King. We're the Light Horse of Fifeshire, sae merrily we'll go Along with Cornel Tamson, that valiant hero. JOHN PATERSON OF PRESTON HALL. From a Miniature on Copper by Madame Vorelse, COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON CHAPTER H. MY SCHOOLDAYS. I WAS born at Charleton on 9th August, 1818. About the first thing I can remember was when George IV. came to Scotland in 1822. My father took the Fife Yeomanry over to be reviewed on the sands at Porto- bello, and we had a flag on the top of the house at Charleton and another on the hill above Coates. Our old nurse, Annie Gordon, came from Bal- gonie, Lord Leven's place near Markinch, which was afterwards burned down. She used to sing about the " Bountree Bank " and the " Warlock Craigie". She was a wizened old woman with a mutch, and used to make " so wens " (a kind of fer- mented oatmeal) in the nursery cupboard, and once a year she allowed herself a feed of raspberries and cream. She died at Charleton, and was buried at Newburn Church. About this time Sir John Hope gav^e me a black pony called '* Pinkie". I was put on him on a pad without stirrups, and I used to cling on by my heels. One day the hounds met on the top of the hill at Charleton. I rode "Pinkie" and my sister Mary was on a donkey. Jimmy Honeyman went out to take care of us, riding my father's gig horse 6 REMINISCENCES OF* " Dragon," a black horse with a grey tail. Honey- man had been a private in the Fife Fencible Cavalry, and afterwards in the Fife Yeomanry, and was a groom at Charleton all the rest of his life. They found a fox in the Horse Shoe Wood and ran to- wards Bal Carres, and the donkey ran away with Mary. Crane was huntsman. He had been hunts- man in the Peninsular War with the Duke of Wel- lington. Mr. Rigg of Tarvit and Captain Wemyss were joint masters. On going to the covert all the field went through a gate except John Dal yell of Lingo, who jumped the sunk fence, which is now abolished. We were in Edinburgh in the winter of 1825, and lived at 35 York Place, next door to Colvin Smith the artist. He painted my sister Jean's pic- ture. We had the whooping cough, and after that she was so changed that he could not finish it. While there I was sent to my first school, a day school kept by Mr. Knight in George Street, where there were about 120 dirty little beggars. In 1826 my father, mother and one sister went to London, and posted all the way, taking me with them. My uncle, William Adam, had a house in Great Russell Street, No. 104. He was a lawyer and accountant-general, and was also Commissioner for the Duke of Bedford, whose two sons, Henry and Cosmo, were committed to his care. I and my cousin, Willy Adam, were sent with them to school at Putney at Mr. Carmalt's. He was a big, stout COLONEL JOHN ANSTRUTHEK, 62ND REGIMENT (1803). (my granufathek.) From a Painting by Martin at Charleton, COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 7 man with a flat nose. There were about 150 boys there. There was a French master whom we called " Mousey ". Willy Adam's mother was a Russian named Polteratsky, so of course he was called Polte- ratsky, and '* Mousey" used to call him " Rattikit". In those days little boys used to have what they called skeleton suits with their trousers buttoned over their jackets, but " Rattikit's " garment was more extraordinary still. It was light grey, with huge black buttons down the front, across the middle of his back, and half way down to his knees. This "Mousey" called Rattikit's "trap drawers". My uncle had a house in Richmond Park at Sheen Gate (where Professor Owen afterwards lived). My great-aunt, Mrs. Loch, kept house with him there. He usually drove down from London on Saturdays and stayed till Monday, and often called for me and Willy Adam on the way and took us with him. We were allowed to roam about the park as we liked. In those days the grand old trees were alive with birds of all kinds — hawks, woodpeckers, wry- necks and owls — and the ponds swarmed with herons, wild ducks, coots and water hens. My uncle gave me a copy of Bewickes Birds, which I delighted to study, and got a deal of knowledge about them. We were constantly in mischief, and the butler used to lock the doors and take a,way our clothes to prevent us getting up too early in the morning. We jumped out of the window, which was only some five or six feet from the ground, and ran about the garden with blankets wrapped round us. 8 REMINISCENCES OF One Sunday afternoon we were bathing in the water trough at the cowhouse when a party of ladies and gentlemen from London appeared. We had no time to get our clothes, so we scrambled on to the top of the park wall and hid among the ivy. In our first summer holidays we and our cousin, George Loch, went from London to Leith in the lourist. She was one of the first steamers that sailed from these ports. She was quite small, and as it was very rough, I was very sick. At Leith we were put into an Aberdeen steamer, and from it transferred into a small boat which landed us on the rocks at Elie, and we walked up to Charle- ton with George Loch and James Venables, my father's butler. About this time percussion guns came to be in general use, and my father gave George Loch one. He himself always shot with a flint gun. During the holidays we went out hunting with Stewart's Harriers to hunt roedeer at Cruivie, near Kilmany. A young horse of Stewart's kicked me on the shin, and my father wrote an account of the accident to my mother. *' My Dearest Clem, — " A horse has kicked John on the leg. It is merely a bruise, but painful. Mrs. Gillespie and Tom Loch have bathed the leg in warm water and are going to put leeches on it and then a poultice. It is now only about an hour since it happened, and he desires me to say to you that he has now no pain. J. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON, LATE M.F.H., 1807. (my father.) From a Water-colour Paintini; by Douglas. COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 9 " Mrs. Gillespie and Tom do not think it even necessary to send for a doctor, but I doubt he will not be able to move by the steam-boat on Saturday, and I think it better that you should come here, as he will be better in the carriage than a gig to- morrow. "He is now asleep, and by the time that you reach this I have no doubt but that he will be quite well. " This house is full of ladies — Mrs. Bruce, Mrs. Maitland, Norah Loch and Susan Gillespie — so that you see John's hurt is not of consequence. " Ever my dearest, •' Yours J. A. T. *' KiLMANY, Half-past Twelve, Wednesday. " Since writing this I have found him laughing and eating grapes, so dont come, but send the carriage to-night to take him home to-morrow morn- ing, as it is best not to trust to the gig in case of rain." Next summer my uncle posted down from Rich- mond Park to Buxton, accompanied with " Granny Loch " and Mary, her grand-niece, and myself. I sat at the back of the carriage on the " dickey " with the footman, who wore top-boots, and was very fat and marked with smallpox. His name was George Baldwin. My father, mother and sisters met us at Buxton, having driven all the way from Charleton with a uni- corn team. Two of the horses were named " Sam- 10 REMINISCENCES Of son " and " Goliath ". The other one died at Harro- gate, and they bought another for ;!^45, which I used to ride afterwards at Learning-ton. We met Mr. Graham of Airth and his son, Carolus, who used to go out fishing with me ; Mr. Owen of Woodhouse and his daughters (the eldest became Mrs. Middleton Biddulph of Chirk, and the next one Mrs. Edward Williams) ; Mr. Billy Bagge and his sister, afterwards Mrs. Villebois ; Sir Hope Grant, who was then a subaltern in the 9th Lancers, and his sister, Mrs. Speirs. They had balls in the hotel, and I danced with Miss Bagge ! She was very pretty. While at Buxton Miss Owen allowed me to ride her horse — at least her father did. It was the first big horse that I had ever ridden. We drove on from Buxton to Leamington, where my father consulted Dr. Jephson, who was famous at that time. One day my cousin, Emily Adam, who lived with us, lost her watch in Wakerley Wood. I remembered having cut a hazel stick there, and next day we went back and found the watch at the very place where I had cut the stick. We were all together there for the Christmas holi- days. It was a tremendous hard frost, and Captain Hibbert of Bilton Grange, and Captain Pearson, afterwards the owner of " Achievement," etc., had a sledge, and gave us a drive on Christmas day. Mr. Fellowes of Shottisham, Norfolk, was then Master of the Warwickshire Hounds. Willv Adam and I were at Putney three years. COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON it and on going home my uncle got his friend Phil Williams to examine us, and found that we knew nothing. One ceremony at Putney took place every half. We were marched up to Carmalt's desk two and two. Two glasses of a horrid compound of bark were on the desk, and an usher stood on each side. We had to drink the dose, turn to the usher, and put out our tongues to show that we had swallowed it ! This was charged in our account, " Wine, 5s." We were removed from Putney. Willy Adam was sent to Laleham, near Staines, and I went to the Academy at Edinburgh. I was boarded at Mr. Dyer's, the English master. He lived in Rae- burn Place. There were eight of us in the house — Stewart McNaughton ; Dick Moubray, afterwards Sir Richard Hussey ; Bigge, afterwards parson at Stamfordham, in Northumberland ; Dykes, the Hereditary Champion ; Dundas, whose sister was Mrs. Farquharson of Invercauld ; Frank Johnstone, brother of Johnstone of Alva ; Lumsden, Sam Dyer and myself. The night I arrived my tutor was ill in bed. At bedtime I made a " devil " of wet gunpowder on a slate, and set the bed curtains on fire. I managed to pull them down and put them out, but filled the house with smoke. However, it was forgiven, being a first fault. My brother Willie and Tom Erskine, Cambo, were at school at Loretto, Musselburgh. A horse- dealer, a great friend of my father's, Matthew Baird, 1^ REMINISCENCES OF lent me a pony on Saturday afternoons, and I used to ride down there to see them. Mr. Dyer was too fine a gentleman for his posi- tion. He used to go out riding on a very good- looking horse, called " Luck's All," which he hired from Tom King. While I was still there, he was arrested for debt and put into prison on the Calton Hill. I walked over to Barnton one afternoon and saw Mr. Ramsay's hounds. Kit Scott, huntsman, Tom Rintoul and Jim Harrison, whips. One day we went to Craigleith Quarry. It was hard frost and a little snow. I was on the ice. One of the fellows threw a stone at me. I was stooping to pick it up off the ice, when plop I went in up to my chin. The ice kept breaking in front of me, but I kept wobbling on till I suppose I touched the bottom, when I jumped out and ran home. It was beastly cold, but I tumbled into bed and was none the worse of it. Part of the time at the Academy, John Shairp (Principal of St. Andrews) was next me in school. He was as keen about hunting as I was. Our school- books were full of pictures of horses. The Christies of Durie were also at the Academy. Jim used to ride a fine horse of his father's called " Partner," and they had a pony called " Fidget". During the holidays they were at Charleton, or I was at Durie nearly every day, and we used to gallop all the way along the links and jump the ditches. No wire in those days. COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 13 My first real hunt was in 1830, when I was at the Academy in Edinburgh and at home for the Christ- mas holidays. We started on the " Balcarres " coach from 2 Princes Street, drove down to New- haven (Gran ton pier was not then built), were put on board the steamer, and crossed to Pettycur. If it was low water we scrambled into a flory-boat, and were rowed to the pier. All the boatmen had high top-hats which they had rescued from the sea, having been blown off the heads of former passengers ! We got on the " Balcarres " coach, which ran as far as Anstruther. They had three horses, and the coach- man was John Beveridge. My companions on the coach were Mr. James Melville of Hanwell, Mr. Willy Glass of Smiddy Green, and James Clark, farmer at Wormiston, the best and keenest of fox-hunting farmers at that date. He walked forty-two couple of foxhound puppies for the Fife Hunt, having kept a couple each season for forty-two years in succession. The meet was at Balcaskie ; Whyte-Melville and Captain Wemyss were joint masters. Walker was huntsman. He had been with Lord Kintore in the V.W. H., and also at Turriff in Aberdeenshire, and succeeded Crane, who died the previous season. Tom Batters was first whip. Tom (Will) Smith was second whip. He came from Brocklesby, and was afterwards with Mr. Grant of Kilgraston, Lord Kelburne, Lord Shannon, at Castle Martyr in Ireland, and lastly at Brocklesby. He was also with Lord Southampton. 14 REMINISCENCES OF I had a capital pony called "Tom Pipes," the picture of a little hunter. Mr. Melville had a beautiful black horse ; Jimmy Rait had a black thorough-bred called "Cholera Morbus," and a cut whip " to bring the hind quarters over ". Campbell of Saddell was also out. They ran all day in the woods at King's Muir, and while hounds were running in covert, Saddell sang " Arouse, boys, arouse". About this time Sir Henry Bethune of Kilcon- quhar came to reside at home. He was Com- mander-in-Chief of the Persian army, and had the power of life and death in that country. He was a grand man, standing six feet five inches in height, very handsome, with the most courteous manners. He had a falconer and several falcons. It was a most interesting sport. The falconers had an old setter dog which hunted till he found a covey of partridges. The falconer then threw off a hawk, which rose in circles till very high, then hovered above the dog. The dog looked up to see if the hawk was ready, and then ran in and roused the birds. Swoop went the hawk. If he missed, the birds generally went into a hedge, and the hawk soared again and hovered over the birds. The old dog then went off after them and got another point. If the hawk killed its bird the falconer went gently to it and picked it up. If not, he had to fetch the hawk with the lure, a dummy bird with a bit of pigeon on it. He called the hawk " Killy, Killy, Voiyooh," a sort of view-halloo, and hurled the lure COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 15 in the air. The hawk stooped to it and began to eat the pigeon, and he then succeeded in picking it up. Our keeper, George Etches, learned the trade. At that time there was a falcon's nest both at Kin- craig Rocks and on the Isle of May. We got the young ones and kept them for two or three years. We lost a good many, for in a high wind they used to get so far away that they did not come back again. Sir Henry was a man with grand and liberal ideas. He was asked to make a fox covert, and he planted thirty-five acres at Belliston, which was the best covert in Fife for many years. When he gave up hunting in 1 847 I bought both his horses, and took them to the Atherstone country — '* Percy" and " Guy Faux ". Sir Henry went out to Persia again and died there. In September, 1832, I went to Eton, and wrote to my mother as follows : — " Mr. Coleridge's House, " Eton, Thursday, 20th September, 1832. " My Dear Mama, — " Uncle William brought me out here yes- terday morning and then left me on his road to Scot- land. There are a good number of fellows here, but I do not know how many. I have a room to myself, which I am in at present, but it smells horribly of mice. We breakfast by ourselves, but I breakfasted this morning with Mr. Coleridge, because it was my first time. We dine all together in the dining-room with Mr. and Mrs. Coleridge. I am not placed yet. i6 REMINISCENCES OF and I do not know when I shall, as to-morrow is a holiday. I daresay I shall like it well enough when I can make verses better. There are some very nice fellows here. Cosmo Russell has not come yet. There is a fellow named Scott coming into the same house from the Academy. Mr. Coleridge has a St. Bernard dog. He is such a fine chap, bigger than ' Neppy,' and just like the picture Eleanor drew of one. " How is Nelly's sore throat and sore side. What have you done with ' Tom Pipes ' ; is he out at grass ? " My dear Mama, " Again your affectionate "John A. Thomson. " I got a new hat in London. I will write to Mr. Ferguson when I am placed. Write to me soon." In Coleridge's house there were lots of good fellows — Stafford Northcote (Lord Iddesleigh), Lord John Manners (Duke of Rutland) and his brother George, Cosmo Russell, Harry Liddell (Lord Ravens- worth), Fred Graham of Netherby, John Bastard, Mat Tiernay, two Champernounes, Scott Murray, Talbot Clifton and his brother Henry, Gisburne (called " Keggs"), Herries, George and Dick Curzon (Howe), Sandford-Graham, Farrar and Harvey Farquhar (I was his fag). They were all first-rate gentlemen. My greatest friends were George Miles, ** Kitty" Claggett and Eustace Arkwright. COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 17 Wilkinson was captain of the school. George Lane Fox was sixth form or Upper Division. God- frey Arkwright was captain of the boats, and Hare was captain of the second boat. Frank Charteris (Lord Wemyss), Charles Scott and Andrew Blackburne went from the Edinburgh Academy at the same time Scott and I went to Cole- ridge's. I was placed in the Upper Remove fourth form. Mr. Coleridge to my uncle, W. Adam : — " Eton, z^rd September, 1832. "My Dear Sir,— " I send you these few lines, according to my promise, to inform you that Dr. Keate has placed Thomson in the Upper Remove of the fourth form, for which station he is well fitted by his general knowledge of Greek and Latin, but by no means so by his powers of composition in verse or prose. He is however, I trust, fully sensible of his own deficiency, and will do his utmost to make up what is now want- ing from the anomalous system in which he has been trained. Can it be right or advisable to defer the practical application of any knowledge so long as it is usual to do at the Edinburgh Academy? Scott, who has just come to me from the sixth form, has been admirably trained in Latin and Greek, and is in all respects a very clever, well-informed and tkou^ktful hoy, and yet during the -whoXe. Jive years he has been at the Academy he has not put pen to paper once. I am no bigot to our own system ; I VOL. I. 2 i8 REMINISCENCES OF think it can be improved in many points ; but I am sure that Dr. Williams' cannot be right. It would be a very kind thing in any one, who was so privi- leged, to converse with him on the subject ; but do not you on any account commit me. I am more than satisfied with the system so far as it goes ; the fault, I find, is that it only goes so far. " You will not, I trust, fail to visit Eton either on your way back or shortly after you return. In the meantime, believe me, my dear Sir, " Yours very sincerely, " Edward Coleridge." Stafford Northcote was, I think, in the Lower Division of the fifth form. He afterwards became Chancellor of the Exchequer, and was created Lord Iddesleigh. His principal companion Gisborne, was very fond of natural history, had a capital collection of stuffed birds, and drew and painted birds most beautifully. I never saw him again after we left Eton, and I believe he died young. Herries and Farrar were also great friends of Northcote's. Carew was usually called " Lobby," and afterwards became Lord Wexford. He was called " Lobby " because he always called the pas- sage " the lobby ". Ascend the " lobby " now, O Muse ! The great Wexfordian room peruse ! Stafford Northcote had very light hair, and there was a Windsor boy who sang in the choir whose name was Jack Tabner, and whose hair was the COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 19 same colour. Northcote was therefore christened " Tab ". Selwyn, who was afterwards Bishop of New Zea- land, was then private tutor to Sir John Thorold, and they did not live in college. Another fellow in Coleridge's house was Corn- wallis Maude, afterwards Lord Hawarden. John Bastard and Mat Tiernay were in the same remove with me. We were up to Cookesley, and did six o'clock lesson with Luxmoore. Northcote and Gisborne were among my greatest friends, and I remember them picking up long reeds and hurling them like javelins at each other, all the time quoting Homer and fancying themselves Grecian warriors. One of our great amusements in winter was toodling — hunting birds in the hedges and chasing them till they were blown, when we captured them.^ The following summer I was in the Victory, of which Marriot was captain. She was a horrible old tub ; it was like rowing in a barge. They gave us a new boat, and we immediately bumped the Thetis, the boat in front of us. Next year they promoted the Victory, and made her the second highest boat next to the ten-oar. I think Northcote was in the Victory that year, also Marks and Meux. John Quick was captain of the boats. Tom Walsh was captain of the Thetis, and we pulled together in the lower sixes. He was stroke and I was five. We won it by half a length against ^ My father died on loth April, 1833. I went home from Eton, and returned at the end of the Easter holidays. 2* 20 REMINISCENCES OF Clagget. Green was captain of the lower boats, but as he was in the eight of the school Clagget was put on as stroke for lower sixes. After I became fifth form I used to mess with Northcote. I think he had then become captain of the house. He had nine fags and I had one, Harry Liddell, the present Lord Ravensworth. I was very idle, and had no turn for doing verses. Northcote could compose them almost as quick as he could repeat them, and used to correct mine, and help me with them. The verses had to be sent in on Monday at midday school. Once we had a serious quarrel. One very hot morning I came in and found Tab at breakfast in his shirt sleeves, and his coat hanging on my chair. " Tab, take your coat off my chair." " I shan't," quoth he. " If you don't, I'll chuck it out of the window." " Shan't," he re- peated. Away went the coat out of the window, and floated into the tutor's garden. Unfortunately it was Monday morning. Tab said, " You may finish your verses for yourself*. That week the verses were a very inferior lot, and my tutor was very much puzzled to know the reason why. However, we soon made it up, and were better friends than ever.^ My tutor was always afraid that I should influence Tab for evil, as I was very idle and fond of field sports. We used to have card parties, and sit on the floor and play at vingt-et-un for halfpence. ^ The verses were done by Tom Walsh, whom I never met again after leaving Eton till September, i8g8. COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 21 Once Northcote had to go away in the middle of a game, having lost about two shillings. He handed over to the boy who took his place a sheet of paper with these words, " Here is a schedule of my debts, and here is the sum of my possessions," and handed him a halfpenny. We sometimes had singing parties too. I can remember a song of Tab's called " The One Horse Shay," beginning — Mrs. Bubbs was fat and free. And fair and forty-three, And blooming as a peony in buxom May. She long the toast had been Of Farringdon-Within, And took up the better half of the One Horse Shay. In July, 1833, Mr. Coleridge wrote again to my uncle : — " My Dear Sir,— " As your nephew is to see you on his way through London I shall send you a few lines to as- sure you that he is going on very well in all respects, except his school exercises. He is extremely good tempered, regular and attentive enough to his lessons ; but he does not take as much trouble as he ought with his prose or verse composition. He might do more without any great act of self-denial, and I wish you to make a point with him of his raising himself by his industry. Could we effect this it would be of value not only for itself, but also as a probable means of keeping him out of the only evil into which I have any fear of his falling — namely, a reckless, coarse manner, . and an excessive abandonment to bodily, rather than 22 REMINISCENCES OF mental pursuits. I do not wish to prevent, but to moderate his pursuit of such recreations, and to teach him that a union of the two adds sweetness to either. " You will be glad to receive from me a good account of Lord Cosmo Russell. He is doing well, and might, if he were not a Lord, do excellently. As it is, I will screw him up to the utmost point I can. The King will certainly ask for an additional week's holidays to-morrow, in which case your nephew's day of return to Eton will be Saturday, 15th September, unless, indeed, you would wish him to avail himself of another week, a privilege usually granted to Scotch boys on account of the distance. " I am very sorry you have never paid me your promised visit ; but I daresay you can show cause. ** Ever yours, my dear Sir, " Very faithfully, " Edward Coleridge. " Eton, zUh July, 1833." I left Eton at Christmas, 1834. On the last day I went out hunting with De Burgh's staghounds, on a hack of Bob Davies. Eustace Arkwright went with me. He wore a red coat ; I wore a green one. My boots were made (by an order on old Ingleton) with a seam down the back instead of the old Wellington pattern, and I gave him fourteen shillings extra to make a pair of tops. I left them (the tops) at my uncle's house in 13 Berkeley Square when I went abroad. When I returned the house was sold, and I never saw them again. COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 23 CHAPTER in. GERMANY. After leaving Eton I went abroad with Captain Lethbridge, Royal Artillery, as tutor. He was rather a stuck-up chap, but we got on pretty well. We started on top of a coach from Gloucester Coffee- house in January, 1835, sailed over to Ostend, ran aground, and had to wait till the tide rose. Luckily it was very calm. At last we got to Ostend, and went on to Saxe- Weimar. " gth January, 1835. " My Dear Mother, — " We have arrived here at last in the middle of yesterday morning at two o'clock. I never felt it so cold in my life, and we got cold rooms and were obliged to get beds made for us ; but now we have got into our own abode. Sir John Hope had written to General Slybach, or Swybach, that we were coming, so he had got lodgings ready for us. He is very good-natured to us and very useful. We had a recommendation to Baron Someone from Baron Ompteda, and we got an invitation last night to a ball there ; but it is not proper to go anywhere and meet the Grand Due till you have been at court, so we asked the General what we should do, and he 24 REMINISCENCES OF told us to go, and that if the Due made any objec- tion the Baron must bear the blame. So we went and were introduced to the Due. He is a great, fat man, but goes bustling about and talks to every one. We go to court next Thursday, and we who have not got uniforms are obliged to go in a dress like a Quaker's — all black with a sword and cocked hat. There are immense lots of English here, viz., Pres- ton, McFarlane, Miller, Horroeks, Tomline (who were at Eton) ; two Hopes and Mr. Sproat, their tutor ; another Miller and Mr. Halley, their (Miller's) tutor, who I know was an acquaintance of Miss Applebee's. " I think I wrote to you last from Brussels the day I could not go to Waterloo. We passed over the field the next day in the diligence. The conductor had been a French soldier and was wounded there, so he told us all about it. We have been at Cologne, or Koeln as the Germans call it, and came along the banks of the Rhine. They are very fine and must be beautiful when green in summer, but not anything wonderful, I think. There are immense rocky hills covered with firs and copse on each side and vine- yards between them and the river. It has been a hard frost here and there has been some snow, but to-day I am sorry to say it is a thaw. Sir James and Lady Hamilton are here. You may recollect them at Leamington. We have got a young Ger- man clod to clean our shoes and brush does and be generally useful. He can't sprechen anything but Deuick, so we hold telegraphic communications, and COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 25 he twigs most wonderfully quick. You must direct to the Poste Rest^ Weimar, Saxe-Weimar, Our landlady's name is Voight, and she only speaks German, but she has a daughter who interprets. I have filled up my sheet, so I shall stop. " Your affec. "J. A. Thomson. " Write to me directly and tell me all the news. Tell Nelly that the Captain waltzes so well that the ladies kept him well employed last night in a dance (as they do when they pick up any one for a partner), and he was so tired all the time, for we had not been in bed for two nights, except yesterday morning." Sir John Hope of Pinkie had given us letters to General Seebach, the Oberjagermeister. We went to call on him, and found a tall old gentleman with his grey hair cut very close, dressed in a shooting jacket, standing at a desk reading an English slang dictionary. He was a grand old man and very kind to us. Willie Hope (afterwards General command- ing in Edinburgh), Norman M'Leod (tutor to Tom Preston), Rocheid (father of Mrs. Briggs of Strath- airley), Horrocks, etc., were there. The Grand Duke was very kind to all the boys. The Grand Duchess was a Russian, and a charming lady. We were all dressed in court dress — black straight-cut coats, cocked hats, knee-breeches and black silk stockings, and we all stood in a row like young rooks. The Grand Duke used to walk round and say a 26 * REMINISCENCES OF few words to each of us. *' Avez-vous bonnes nou- velles de vos parents ? " " Have you good news of your parents ? " The Grand Duchess spoke perfect English. We were sometimes invited to dinner. Among the guests was Sir James Ramsay of Bamff, who had a curious trick of saying, " Eh, quoi, what ?" On being invited by the Duke to take a glass of wine (which was the fashion in those days), he replied, " Eh, quoi, what ? " Our German master, Dr. Weissenborne, was a most eccentric man — a tall, pale man, with huge spectacles, and a very strong smell of tobacco. He usually carried a chameleon inside the breast of his shirt, and he had a little Dachshund called Waldina. His knowledge of the English language was not very correct. On hearing of runaway matches to Gretna Green, where the parties were married by the black- smith, he said, " Is it necessary to be a blacksmith to perform marriages in Scotland } " Norman M'Leod was much in love with a charm- ing girl called Melanie Speigel. Many years after- wards he was at Elie, and came to dine at Charleton. I had never met him since our Weimar days. I took his wife in to dinner. He said, " Tell her all about Weimar — she knows about Melanie Speigel." The Duke used to ask us to the Jagd (to shoot hares). They surrounded the district for two or three miles with several hundred men, a gun and a beater being placed alternately. We then marched slowly in towards the centre. At the end of the Jagd it was like a regiment firing volleys. The Duke was COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 27 attended by some mounted hussars, who occasionally acted as retrievers. I have seen one cutting three and four at a wounded hare. We always had a grand luncheon in the middle of the day. "Weimar, Wednesday, ^th February, 1835. " My Dear Mother, — *' As Miller,^ the bearer of this, starts to- morrow morning from this place to England, I think it is a good opportunity to write to you, as he has volunteered to take it. He has been here for some time, and has got his commission in the 12th Lancers, so he is now returning home. '* I received your and Willie's letter the other day. Willie's letter is very amusing. I hope the next will be more extensive. You need not be the least afraid that there are not enough Germans to talk German to, as there is a whole regiment of soldiers, and very few of them can speak anything else. General Seebach told me that he heard from Pinkie that some of you had been at a masquerade. He is a jolly old fellow, and has a son who talks English very well. Monday was the Duke's birth- day, so there was a grand dinner, and last night a ball. We could not move last night without treading on a prince's or a princess's toes. A princess sent a page to Captain Lethbridge commanding him to dance with her, which he did. They are the oddest looking people ever you saw. When we first saw ^ Sir William Millar of Glenlee. 28 REMINISCENCES OF them Horrocks exclaimed, ' How on earth did they ever get so many screws together ? ' They have a splendid room at the palace built of marble ; the walls are a yellowish sort of marble, and there is a gallery supported by white columns, and all sculp- tured at the top. It is quite splendid when lighted. German is rather a stiff language. Captain Leth- bridge cannot get out any of the gutturals and is quite in despair ; but I am not, for I can speak to the servant, who says ' water ' in English and ' ques- kesay ' in a sort of German gibberish. We are going to a soiree to-night at Tomline's. I received a letter from Aunt Louisa at the same time as yours. We get English papers here, and I see that Admiral Fleming lost his election and something about a fire at Edinburgh. Let me hear about it. I have no- thing more to say, but I thought it a good oppor- tunity to write, so I shall stop as I have no more time. "So good-bye, " Your affec. "John A. Thomson. " I have directed this to Charleton, as you may have returned there before Miller has arrived, and I have enclosed it." In the spring we went to Berlin, and saw a good many reviews, and became very intimate with a number of German officers. One day, when we had stopped for luncheon in a wood, we found a chap hanging on a tree. He was quite dry, like a mummy. COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 29 We went from Berlin to Dresden and lived in the Pernieische Gasse. Count Fredro was on the first floor and I and Lethbridge above him. Countess Fredro was a Russian — a great tall gaunt woman, who spoke English very well. A Russian girl lived with her called Katerina Simionofska. We had a dancing master who used to dance at the opera, and taught us gymnastics and waltzing, and we used to practise with Katerina. The chaps at Dresden were Lord Alex. Russell, Bob Balfour of Balbirnie, Lord Stair, Lord Blantyre, Rashleigh, Pat Baker, John Udny and Gordon Gumming. During the summer Lethbridge and I went to the Saxon Schweiz. We lived at a pub. and ate " blauen Forellen^\ We then went on to Teplitz — a most wonderful country for partridges. There was another Englishman there whose name I forget, and we went to interview the Oberjagermeister to ask permission to shoot. We found him sitting with his feet in a tub of hot water. He gave us leave, so we hired two guns and '' Patronen" and joined the Jagd next day. There were about a dozen officers in uniform and some pointer dogs. All the crops were in narrow strips and the partridges got up by scores. We returned to Dresden and remained there the next winter. We were joined by Henry Gordon, brother of Khartoum Gordon. His father was an artillery officer, and a friend of Lethbridge's, and Henry Gordon remained with us all winter. After leaving Dresden I did not see him again for forty 30 REMINISCENCES OF years. One day I was at Woolwich at the Artillery Barracks. I wanted to get a patrol jacket as a pattern for the Fife Light Horse. I asked Major Talbot, with whom I was staying, if he could help me. He said, " Come along to the Arsenal," and being shown into the Governor's room I found my old friend Henry Gordon. We rushed into each other's arms. This was not very long before his brother's death, and he was shortly afterwards made a baronet. One morning we saw an execution. Three men had their heads cut off with a sword. A wooden shed was erected in the middle of a great plain, and many thousands of people were present. It took place soon after daylight on a winter morning. The victim was placed in a chair with his arms tied. The Scharfrichter stood on his left rear, with a broad square-pointed sword. He did not raise his hand, but brought it from right to left with a sweeping cut, and the man's head just rolled away down an inclined wooden trough, and the body was slipped into a coffin at the bottom. The third man was very much excited, and I distinctly heard him say, " Ich bin unschuldig vor die Augen von Himmel ". He would not sit still, and one of the assistants held him by the hair while the executioner cut his head off. This was about the last time an execution of the kind ever took place. They were all three chimney-sweeps, and had murdered an old woman to get possession of her money, but only succeeded in finding a few groschen. COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 31 In August, 1835, while I was at Dresden, I was gazetted to the 17th Lancers. Lord Lucan com- manded the regiment at that time. My guardians considered I was too young, and requested the Commander-in-Chief, Lord Hill, to cancel the com- mission. A few months afterwards Lord Rosslyn, then Colonel of the 9th Lancers, offered me a com- mission, which was accepted with the understanding I was to have six months leave. It was a tremendous hard winter, the ther- mometer 30° below zero. People had their ears frost-bitten while crossing over the bridge. We made great friends with the Cherini family. He was General in the Saxon army. He had a charming daughter, and his son had got a commis- sion in the Austrian army. I was just appointed to the Fife Yeomanry, Sir Ralph Anstruther's troop, and he sent me a uniform. The. jacket was almost the same as the 9th Lancers. One evening we put on our uniforms, and Cherini said mine was pr'dchtig. His was white coat, knee- breeches and gaiters. Towards the end of the winter Gordon went home and Lethbridge and I went to Prague. The snow was tremendously deep, and the roads so bad that ropes were tied to the top of the diligence and men hung on to them at the bad places. We went on to Vienna and remained there till the weather got better. We then bought a carriage and posted all the way to Nancy. Passing Nancy we went to the salt mines. 32 REMINISCENCES OF " HoRSB Guards, 2nd February, 1836. " Sir,— " I am commanded by General Lord Hill, to acquaint you, that on your lodging the sum of £840 in the hands of Messrs. Cox & Co., Army Agents, His Lordship will submit your name to His Majesty for the purchase of a Cornetcy in the 9th Light Dragoons. " I have the honour to be, " Sir, ** Your humble Servant, ** FiTZROY Somerset. "To John Anstruther Thomson." I was gazetted on the 12th of March, 1836, and passed that summer at Nancy in a. pension at Madame Lerboullet's. My window looked out on the barrack yard of the cuirassiers. There were two families I used to visit — Kortwrights and Major Fitzmaurice (his wife was the sister of the parson at Clyro). Harry Villebois came there for a bit. At that time a M. Gastaldi was living near, and invited us all to a feast (where we got very merry) and a musical performance (where each guest took the part of a different instrument). Harry Villebois and I had a round or two to demonstrate the art of self-defence. We all slept on the premises, one of the Kortwrights and I under the billiard table. While at Nancy I wrote the following letter to my mother : — COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON s3 " Nancy, Tuesday, loth May, 1836, "My Dear Mother, — " I received your letter this morning and one from Mary yesterday, and as I shall tell you all my news in this, if you will pass it on to her it will do as an answer to both. " You did not perhaps know before writing, but I suppose you will before receiving this, that I am going to stay here two months longer. I am both glad and sorry. In another month I shall talk French like a house-a-fire. Next Saturday we go to Metz with Mr. Chamberlayne in our carriage (if we can't sell it) ; if we do sell it, in the ' dilly,' I sup- pose. Capt. L. will not come back here, but Mr. Chamberlayne and I will. I am going into a pen- sion, but have not yet settled where. About a week ago there was a grand wedding here. The bride's gown cost ^400, and was made of point lace. Two days after there was a ball to which we went, but there was such a crowd it was impossible to move, much less dance. I suppose by this time you have seen the 9th, as Mary informs me that they marched into Edinr. on the ist. You may send me a descrip- tion of them. The new Cornet Spicer was at Eton with me, I think, and is a very nice fellow if the same. By-the-bye, I received Max F.'s letter two or three days ago. I wonder why on earth he sent it to Britain — I will row him for it. I am just going to write to Willie. Do you really think of making him an engineer or artilleryman ? I think it would VOL. I. 3 34 REMINISCENCES OF be a capital plan. Mr. Chamberlayne paints very beautifully and gives me a lesson whenever I choose, so I have three brushes and eight colours — oil — and dab away, and I think I shall succeed when I know a little more about the palette. When the weather turns finer we are going out to sketch. By-the-bye, about fourteen days ago we went to the salt mines at Deuze. We got into a tub and down we went 450 feet, and found ourselves in a vault about twenty-four feet broad and high, and perhaps a mile long. There are a number of streets at right angles supported by pillars. The salt is as hard as rock, and is all blasted and cut with pick-axes. They say that the echo of a blast is very beautiful. Capt. L. and a Count Gastaldi who was with us sang some duets, which echoed beautifully. I fancy John Dalyell must be rather disappointed with his English hunting — he has got such a bad country. An old gentleman here lent me (your horror) the Sport. Mag., and I saw all about it, also that the 9th are all famous riders. I suppose I must have some horses when I join, but the Colonel will tell you all about that. I was hard at work all yesterday afternoon with a pick-axe and spade cultivating Major Fitz-Maurice's kail-yard, and am going at it again to-day ! He has got such a nice boy, three and a half years old — such a manly little fellow, and if I ever become a colonel he is to be in my regiment. I suppose Hamilton has left the castle, but you did not tell me where he is gone to. At Vienna I got some music and put it into my shako, and that ipto my portmanteau, and Capt. COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 35 L. did the same. They have been ten weeks on the road now and are not yet arrived. " I have not got no more to tell you. By-the- bye, thinking of negations or negatives, in one of the travellers' books somewhere or other I read the following : ' A Cockney having lost his hat at a party exclaimed, " Hasn't nobody not never seen ne'er a 'at nowhere " '. However, having told you all my news, give my love to Clem, and tell her to get well. How glad I shall be to have a chat at home, and I am, " Your affec. "J. A. Thomson." I left Nancy on the top of a diligence, on a very hot day, with my poodle " Lorrine ". The dust was perfectly awful, and the heat stifling. Two French soldiers were my compagnons de voyage, and I pro- duced my commission, which caused them to remark I was bien heureux to be a sous-lieutenant at such an early age. I was then 6 feet 2 inches in height, according to my passport : " Cheveux blonds^ yeux bleux, nez moyen, menton rond, . . . tachd d^ rous- seaux". I went down the Rhine to Rotterdam, and there embarked for London. 36 REMINISCENCES OF CHAPTER IV. 9TH LANCERS. On the 30th of July I went to report myself at Piers- hill. Lord Loughborough was then the Lieutenant- Colonel. I borrowed a horse from Matthew Baird in Dublin Street, and rode down to barracks. I wore a long green bombazine coat (made in Ger- many), white duck regimental trousers, a high top- hat with a very narrow brim. Being rather ashamed of it I rammed it under my chair, but Tom Whalley immediately discovered it, and said, " Twig his hat ! " Arthur Williams, who had known my sisters at Eaton Mascott, took me under his protection, and gave me good advice, and made me buy a green account-book. I was appointed to '* C " Troop — Captain, Percy Williams ; Tom Whalley was the Lieutenant. " PiERSHiLL Barracks, " Monday, August, 1836. " My Dear Mother, — " I will give you an account of what I have done since I left you. On arriving in Edinburgh I got a horse from Baird and trotted to the barracks with my credentials, but as neither Loughborough nor Colonel Campbell were there I went to the Adjutant, a jolly old Irishman named Cooke, and he COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 37 showed me the mess-room, etc., and introduced me to Arthur Williams, who told me what I should do. I then went back to Edinburgh and dined at the Lochs. I like Eliza very much, but Mr. Walker had just gone away, so I did not see him. I slept at Charlotte Square, and yesterday had my things sent down here and came myself. In the evening I went out riding with Spicer and Johnston, dined at mess at half-past seven, and went to bed. Colonel Campbell is gone to inspect a troop of yeomanry somewhere, and they expect Loughborough to-day, but it is doubtful if he will come or not. I have got into Meicklam's room. He is on leave, and has left his bed and furniture ; but as there were and are sundry bugs in it, the sooner I get my own the better. I have got a soldier-servant named Jenkin- son, and his wife cleans my room and washes every- thing for twenty-five shillings a month. We all breakfast in the mess-room when and how we choose, and all the teapots, etc., belong to the mess, so I don't want any. Send me some shirts as soon as possible, though only two or three are finished. I am in Percy Williams' troop. He is very good- natured and amusing, though rather a rattler. Whal- ley (pronounced IVay/ey) is the Lieutenant. He is a little gentleman-like, rather swell fellow, and has set me all a-going most swimmingly. I like Spicer, Spottiswoode, Whalley and Johnston best. My horses are in great strength and beauty — health, I mean. I rode the mare yesterday, and she is as wild as a great cat. She is very much approved of, and 38 REMINISCENCES OF is the largest in the regiment, about sixteen and a half hands high. Spicer is very unlucky. He bought two horses from London ; one turned out a roarer from a cold it caught in the steamer, the other is coughing. To-morrow is a field day. Where do the livery buttons come from ? — for they all recommend putting Mr. Smailum into livery. " Don't forget my shirts. By-the-bye, what were the accounts of Ann Loch which you received on Saturday ? Eliza wants to know. Send my two cane hunting whips, my gun and everything else. Mind the shirts and sheets and blankets, if you have them, and I am, " Your affec. "J. A. Thomson. " Lord Loughborough is going to take a levy down to Doncaster races ; perhaps he will take me. Love to every one. It is beastly weather. When it is clear I can see the Horse Shoe Plantation." 9TH Lancers (1836). Colonel Campbell of Craigie was the Major. Captain Fullarton, a quiet old gentleman, died in India during the Mutiny. Percy Williams, my Captain, a capital officer, a very fine horseman and race-rider ; afterwards hunted the Rufford Hounds for nineteen seasons. Arthur Williams, called " Jelly," a dear good chap, took charge of the mess, and was very kind to the Cornets. Col. Anstruther Thomson ^g Hope Grant, afterwards a most distinguished General, commanded the cavalry during the Indian Mutiny. Hankey, called " The Squire" (married), lived at Rosebank, and drove in every day in a dog-cart. Archy Little, called " The Corporal," the best of good fellows, afterwards commanded the regiment in the Indian Mutiny. Clark, afterwards Sir James, of Penicuik, called " Massa," devoted to playing the fiddle. He had a huge charger called " Paganini ". One day some one stuck a pin in his crupper ; the result was awful. Tom Porter, a dear good chap, capital sportsman, afterwards *' Father of the Berks Hunt ". Andrew Spottiswoode, a very nice chap, but queer temper. He was next in the entail of Charle- ton, a capital horseman, afterwards commanded ist Dragoons, and married old Campbell's daughter. He was my second cousin. John Spicer had been at Eton with me, a capital fellow. His father lived at Esher Place, now San- down Racecourse, and drove a team of grey horses in a yellow coach. Esher Place was sold, and John Spicer bought Spye Park, Chippenham. During the winter of 1836 Spicer stayed with me at Charle- ton, and he had a mount out hunting on "Paddy," my mother's carriage-horse. The meet was at Kings- muir. Whyte- Melville was master ; Walker, hunts- man ; Glover, first whip ; W. Hawtin, second whip., We got home very late. '* Paddy " not going so free 40 REMINISCENCES OF as usual, Spicer got off to examine, and said his feet were " all flat ". He had lost both fore-shoes ! Frank Willoughby, brother of Lord Middleton, a first-rate good fellow, good horseman and keen sports- man. He died in India. Fred Isacke, capital fellow, very good-look- ing, had a beautiful voice and sang nicely. His brother married Miss Wedderburn, Birkhill. He married Miss Mary Fortescue in 1846, when I was quartered in Dublin, and I was his best man. Her father appeared in nankeen trousers and a blue coat with long tails and steel buttons. When the clergy- man in the service asked, "Who giveth this woman," etc., he shouted out, " I do," and made the roof of the chapel rattle. Our uniform was : Red jacket (double-breasted), blue facings, gold embroidered collar, a short bob- tail ; wore belts outside the jacket, a gold sash for balls, blue over-alls, red stripe, white trousers in sum- mer, Wellington boots ; no mess waistcoats, dined in stable jackets buttoned up ; lancer caps, square top, very heavy, and blackcock's tail plume. Armed with lance, sword (curved pattern) and pistols, white sheep- skin and blue shabraques. The regiment was very well mounted — great big well-bred horses with bang tails, which had just come into fashion. Our men were very good-looking. Lord Loughborough would not take any man under 5 ft. 9 in. At that time privates when off duty wore their swords, and in the event of street rows were some- COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 41 times rather handy with them. The infantry also wore their bayonets, and stabbing was not uncom- mon. The men were very smart and good riders, and the regiment was celebrated for trotting in line. The horses were not so well broke as they are now, and were very vicious in the stable : no stranger dare go up to them. It was not an uncommon thing for a troop horse to run away after a charge, and in turning out for mounted orderly, there was often a turn of buck-jumping before the horse could be got up to the guard parade. The men were a wildish lot, and very often late for watch-setting, but as long as the duty was well done not much notice was taken. When the orderly sergeant reported men absent at watch-setting, "Give them half an hour," was the usual answer. I was one month under eighteen years when I joined, 6 ft. 2^ in. high, and weighed 12 st. 8 lb. Before I joined I got two horses from John Elmore in London. General Wemyss, who then lived at the Stud House at Hampton Court, and had charge of the Royal Farm at Windsor, was good enough to go with me. I got a very good-looking bay mare, about 16*2 hands, and a coarse bay horse. They cost me £jo and ;^50 respectively. At that time many of the horses suffered from diabetes caused by kiln- dried oats, and my two suffered severely. I bought a very good brown horse, "John," from George Inglis in Edinburgh for ^145, and had him for eleven seasons. I rode him cub-hunting in the Atherstone country in 1847. 42 kEMlNlSCENCES OF* At that time Lord Loughborough had a race-horse called "Shamrock". He was very queer tempered, and difficult to ride. Percy Williams was one of the best gentleman-riders of the day, and won many races on him. He ran at Cupar Races, when the Caledonian Hunt took place there in 1839, for the last time. Percy Williams was a capital officer, but he was always on leave when he could get away. That year he went to shoot at Glendye, Sir James Carnegy's, and took old Martin, Lord Loughborough's keeper, with him. Tom Whalley was a charming man, very clever, full of fun and wit, rather sarcastic, and a most fas- tidious gentleman. His brother was a clergyman near Northampton. He remained in the regiment about three years after I joined, and when he retired I got his troop. I bought a capital old horse from Clark called " Charlie," a grand jumper. One day I was riding him with the Linlithgow and Stirlingshire Hounds, galloping along the side of the canal at Drumshore- land Wood. A heap of stones was lying in the way and he turned round and jumped into the canal with me. We got to the other side. I got my arm on the coping-stone and bundled out, turned the reins over his head, and he jumped clean out. I was wet up to my neck. I was set to drill and do the " goose step " with John Spicer, and got on so fast with it that the sergeants thought I had been in the German service. The riding-school was no trouble to me. COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 43 Our principal drill-sergeant was Sergeant Baird, a little ugly man, with his chin-strap behind his jaw, but very smart and a capital soldier. In teaching sword exercise he desired us to " thrust the pint (point) well home and turrn the sworrd to render the wound incurable ". Cooke was the Adjutant, an Irishman who had risen from the ranks and was a fine specimen of an old soldier. He had been pro- moted over the head of the Regimental Sergeant- Major, named Payne, father of Charles Payne, the Pytchley huntsman. Payne broke his sword in two and placed it on the fire saying his soldiering days were over. This was told me by Charles Payne at Pytchley kennels fifty years after. The Sergeant-Major of the " C " Troop, Doyle, had a very good-looking grey horse which I sometimes rode. One day, when orderly officer, the horse being very fresh clattered about on the stones, and unfortunately Lord Loughborough saw it from the office window and called Captain Williams' attention to it. He selected the four biggest brutes in the troop for my benefit. A few months afterwards the Earl of Rosslyn, full Colonel of the regiment, came to inspect us. The field-day took place on Portobello sands. I was his orderly officer, and he rode Sergeant- Major Doyle's grey horse. It had a very bad mouth, and behaved no better with him than it did with me, and his lancer cap got on to the back of his head, and was rather uncomfortable. On returning to barracks he remarked that the horse had a bad mouth. Lord 44 REMINISCENCES OF Loughborough then rode it himself, and said he was ashamed that the General should have been mounted on such an ill-mannered quad ! ! One day when I was orderly officer I turned out and inspected the guard without having my sword on. In the afternoon it was raining hard when the guard mounted, and I was proceeding to inspect it with a mackintosh on, when the office window was hurled up, and a stem voice said : " Don't go and get into another scrape ; I saw you inspect the guard without your sword," and turning to Colonel Campbell said : "Is that the way you allow the duty to be done ? " Hope Grant was junior Captain when I joined. He was the truest and kindest of friends, and a most agreeable and cheery companion. He was a dear friend of mine all his life. A first-rate horseman, with good hands and undeniable nerve — no matter what country or what horse — he was sure to be in the front rank. His horses, although always well bred, were not always quite first class. I remember his buying at Laing's Bazaar in the Lothian Road, Edinburgh (now the site of the Caledonian Railway Station), a grey half-bred Arab mare, which had been bred at Dalkeith, for £"]. A few days after- wards he appeared on it out hunting, and went as well as other people. His hack was a wall-eyed Highland pony which had cost ^5, the value of the whole establishment being thus £\2. He was also a keen golfer, and a most enthusiastic and accom- plished musician. In the evening he would play for hours on the violoncello. At that time Signer COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 45 Emiliani, a celebrated violin player, was in Edin- burgh, and he delighted to get him to accompany him. He rode in the military steeplechase at North- ampton in 1 84 1 previous to going to China with Lord Saltoun. I think I can see him now, after the race, with a red worsted comforter round his neck, a hunting cap, and his knuckles covered with blood from contact with the bullfinches, and saying "It was capital fun ". On his return from China a dinner was given to him by the members of the Club at St. Andrews. The toast of the family at Kilgraston was entrusted to me, and I said: "We have all met here to do honour to our noble guest, who has served his coun- try well and done his duty ; but we also are assembled here as a party of gentlemen to welcome our old friend and playfellow, and it is very gratifying to find that this successful General, who has led vic- torious armies, is still our old friend, the same frank Hope Grant, the same genial hearty good fellow. Sir Francis has also made a name for himself. His works will exist when this generation has passed away, and his name will be handed down to posterity among the great artists of his country. I now turn last, but not least, to the genial Laird of Kilgraston. No mean artist himself, a keen golfer, a first-rate sportsman, in every good work always ready to assist by advice and example, he possesses all the qualifications of a true country gentleman. Nor must we forget the amiable lady who presides over 46 REMINISCENCES OF the fireside at Kilgraston, and by her gentle influence diffuses pleasure to all around her." The following anecdote is told of John Grant. A lady said to him, " Sir Francis is a great painter, Sir Hope is an accomplished musician — what can you do, Mr. Grant ?" "I managed to be their elder brother, and that is what neither of them can do ! " I had an allowance of jCsoo per annum. I had a private servant named Thomas Smailum. My bat- man was named Jenkinson, a big, good-looking man. He was paid two shillings and sixpence a week. His wife did my room, washed and mended, for two shillings a week. My room was in the back of the barracks, and I could see Fife and Charleton out of the window. I began to hunt in earnest when I joined the 9th Lancers at Piershill in 1836. The first day cub-hunting the Duke of Buc- cleuch's Hounds met at Craigmillar Castle, and found directly (it would bother them to find a fox there now). Williamson was huntsman and Hugh Burns was first whip. The men wore cut-away coats, and all rode with snafifle bridles and martin- gales. Old Frank Collinson, who rode the young horses, wore a cap and a red " spencer," a short round jacket like a strapping jacket. The following were the packs of hounds in Scot- land at that time : — "The Duke of Buccleuch." Huntsman, Will Williamson ; whip, Hugh Burns. " Fife." Whyte-Melville and Captain Wemyss. COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 47 Huntsman, John Walker ; whips, Tom Batters and Will Smith. " Lothian." Huntsman, Lord Elcho ; whips, Joe Hogg and Bob Carlyle. " Linlithgow and Stirling." Master, Ramsay of Barnton ; huntsman. Kit Scott ; whip, Tom Rintoul. " Lanark and Renfrew." Huntsman, Lord Kel- burn ; whips, Jim Harrison and Sam Graham. " Perthshire." Murray of Abercarnie. Hunts- man, Arber ; whips, John Hall and John Harvey. "Forfarshire." Huntsman, Mr. Dalyell of Lingo ; whip, Jack Skinner. " Aberdeenshire." Huntsman, Lord Kintore ; whip. Grant. About April, 1837, we marched to Glasgow, and were relieved by the 14th Light Dragoons, com- manded by Jack Townsend. Two Dohertys, Robert- son of Foveran (" the Whisperer"), etc., were in the regiment. The horses had bobtails. On the Queen's accession to the throne we fired 2l feu-de-joie on Glasgow Green. There was no riding-school in Glasgow barracks. The young horses and recruits were at Hamilton. We often went over there to play cricket. The 42nd Highlanders were also quartered at Glasgow, having come from Edinburgh, and their barracks were in the worst part of the town. A battery of artillery were quartered in the cavalry barracks with us. Charlie Bingham was in command. He was a capital fellow and very popular. 48 REMINISCENCES OF " Fatty " Sutherland joined about this time, He was seventeen years old, and weighed seventeen stone. He was in the same troop with me, and Fullarton was our Captain. Fullarton was about 5 ft. 4 in., and on foot parade he had to stand be- tween his two subalterns. Sutherland was about 6 ft. I in. and I was 6 ft. 3 in. and right-hand man of the line. At Glasgow Fair there were two giantesses (Americans) in a booth. I was put between them, being the tallest man in the place. I could just reach the tops of their heads. In August Ralph Anstruther invited me to go and shoot at Braemore. John Dalyell and Hamilton Anstruther were the rest of the party. I went on the mail, and drove it part of the way, through Dingwall arriving at Dunbeath at three o'clock in the morning. Next day I got a cart and pony for the luggage, and walked to Braemore. The year 1837 was the last the Fife Hounds went to Forfarshire. I had four horses — " Charlie," " John," a grey horse and a grey mare. The club assembled at Sandy Ross's hotel in Forfar. The horses were kept there, and the hounds in a timber- yard just outside the town. Walker (the huntsman) lived at Sandy Ross's, and the waiter, an old red- headed man, was the earth-stopper. Old Lord Panmure presided over the first dinner. James Rait, John Kinloch, Balfour Oglivy and Archie Douglas were there. Admiral Wemyss, John Whyte - Melville, F>ed Wedderburn and myself COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 49 came from Fife. About eleven o'clock, having eaten and drank more than was good for me I went to bed. I was told that about three in the morning the chairman slipped off his chair, and as he was so fat they could not pick him up again ; so they put some pillows under his head, and left him there till morn- ing. They then got him into bed, where he re- mained all day and all night, and went home in his carriage at 3 p.m. on the following day. He was very hospitable and kind, and I often spent a happy time at Brechin Castle. Archie Douglas was a grand sportsman and a first-rate horseman. About 1826 he was sent for to ride a steeplechase at Melton — I think against Cap- tain Ross — but he did not win it. Latterly he was very deaf. Once at dinner Lady Panmure said, *'Will you have some fish, Major Douglas?" He replied, " We had a capital run to-day ". When quite an old man Lord Rosslyn, M.F.H., gave him a mount one day in Fife. We met at the New Inn. ! Peter Paterson of Carpow said to him, " Douglas, that horse is a capital fencer". He replied, "I'll try". The first fence was a ditch, a wall and a hedge. He cleared it all and went on with the hounds alone. In autumn I got out hunting a few times with Lord Kelburn. He hunted the hounds himself. Will Smith was his kennel huntsman, who had been in Fife the previous season, and whipped-in to Walker. It was a tremendous hard winter, seven weeks of frost, and all the roads blocked with snow. The first day after the frost Lord Kelburn's hounds VOL. I. 4 so REMINISCENCES OF met at Erskine, Lord Blantyre's place. Power lent me his grey mare to hunt, and Hope Grant lent me a thoroughbred horse to ride to covert, and gave me a silver pocket flask. Lord Kelburn was very keen and full of zeal, but he was too irascible for a huntsman, and his language was by no means parliamentary. His field were so frightened at him that if he turned back going along the road, they would all jump out of it to get out of his way. Mr. Whyte- Melville was out hunting with him, and followed him down the ride in a large wood ; presently Kelburn trotted on to where his second whip was standing, and gave the lad a good double thonging with his whip. Melville quietly turned round and rode out of the wood. In 1838 Willie Campbell of the Bays was the best gentleman-rider in Scotland. In the spring of 1838 I rode to Bogside Races. Johnstone lent me a restive black horse. I sent " John " on half-way, and rode him on to the course. Jim Fairlie had a great raw-boned horse called " Splendour," and Sir David Baird a bay horse called " Wings ". Lord Macdonald also rode in the races. Bob Richardson (General Richardson Robertson) rode " Zohrab," a horse of Jim Fairlie's, and Tommy Dallas a grey horse called " Pyramid ". On the 31st May, 1838, we marched up to Nottingham, and headquarters went to Leeds. I think Fullarton was in command of the squadron, and Andrew Spottiswoode and I were subs. When we crossed the bridge on the border the COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 51 men gave " Three Cheers for Old England ". When we got to Penrith Spottiswoode and I went for two or three days to see U lis water, and rode to Patter- dale and Lowther Castle and rejoined them at Ken- dal. A troop of the 15th Hussars were quartered at Clitheroe in Lancashire, who invited us to dinner. Lowndes was one of the officers. He was rather a rat-catcher. During dinner he said, " Should you like to see a regular up-and-down fight ? " " All right," said we. A stable sentry came in without his jacket with a rat-trap and a ferret. The rat was let loose' and we all stood on chairs. After it had run about for a little the ferret was put down. It put its nose to the ground, lashed its tail about, and galloped off just like a little hound. Presently it came to the comer where the rat was and it began to squeak. The ferret ran in, caught it by the neck and killed it. We sat down and finished our dinner. On arriving at Nottingham we put up at the Ram Inn. The landlord had formerly been messman to the 9th Lancers. I used to drive the " Commercial " coach to London whenever I went. Sam Taylor was coach- man. 4* 52 REMINISCENCES OF CHAPTER V. QUEEN VICTORIA'S CORONATION. I WENT up from Nottingham for the Coronation ; the first time I ever travelled on a railway. The North- Western line was open to Denby Hall where there was no station, and they drove the coach up to the side of the rails in a grass field, shoved it on to a truck and took it bodily up to London. The only re- freshment-place was Wolverton, and the only refresh- ment hot elder wine and " parliament" ginger-bread. Not having a ticket for Westminster Abbey I did not take my uniform with me. On arriving in Lon- don I found they had got me a ticket, but I had no means of getting the uniform in time. My sister Mary went with my uncle, General Sir Frederick Adam. My uncle, Sir Charles Adam, was at this time one of the Lords of the Admiralty, so we were allowed to get on to the top of the archway in front of the Admiralty to see the procession. My sister wrote the following account : — " Dover Street, Friday, 1838. •• My Dear Jean, — "As it has begun to rain, I think I may find time to write to you and tell you about our gaiety, so expect a regular journal of nonsense. COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 53 " On Monday I went with Aunt Charles to Lord Fitz-William's ball, which was very beauti- ful, and I liked it. I saw more people than I expected to know, and had some dancing. I saw John Balfour who had heard from Tina, I danced (as I suppose Louisa likes particulars) with Captain Grey and Frederic Romily and Edmund Elliot's brother, and a German attache of Prince Putey- buss. The Elliots and Listers were there. In short, it was much better fun than I expected ; there were thousands of foreigners, which makes a ball more amusing. Soult was there and the Due de Nemours, who is very good-looking, and is supposed to wish to be King of England. I was introduced to the Due de Vicennes, who has brought over his own hairdresser and his ami, Count Pralin, and the Baron von Gottsch, the German. " On Tuesday we went to a party at Lady Minto's. Uncle Fred went also (very pleasant I thought, though that is a disputed point) ; and after it we went to the Highland Ball (not Uncle Fred), but Ann and William Elphinstone joined us. It was capital, such numbers of Scotch people. Lady Keith and Emily in a very pretty fancy dress, the Hume Drummonds, Mrs. Pitcairne, the Randolphs, Jane Dalyell, Alexander Carmichael, Augustus Hamilton, Mr. Gibson Craig, the Montgomeries, Lord Elibank and brothers — in short, plenty of people we knew. I forgot to say that the Duchess of Gloucester was at Lord Fitz-William's. He gave the ball because 54 REMINISCENCES OF Lord Milton is going to marry Lady Fanny Douglas, Lord Morton's daughter. " At the Caledonian Ball there was the Duke of Sussex, Prince George, Princess Augusta and the Duchess of Cambridge, and numbers of noblemen, beginning with Duchess Maggy/ Tell Louisa Mr. Douglas Stewart was there, having been so ill and looking so. We were quite tired of reels and bag- pipes, but the thing most worth seeing was Prince Zichi. His coat is all embroidered in turquoise, the whole of the front and cuffs, and the buttons are, I think, nearly as large as blackbirds' eggs, studded with turquoise. The feather in his hat is quite full of them, and his sword is quite superb, and he has some on his leggings, I think — in short, I did not think one man could have put so many on, it was like something in the Arabian Nights. There were num- bers of foreigners, all so polite ; one could hardly move for the giving one seats and bowing. One with whom I danced led me to the quadrille by the tips of my fingers, much to my amusement. I saw Mary Kerr. " For a week nearly there has been no moving in the streets. The town is so full and people so mad, and they put up barriers at the ends of the streets to prevent a crowd in the procession at the Coronation, so that only one or two carriages could pass at a time. We stood one hour and ten minutes on Mon- day near the Park Gate without being able to move, and all the small streets are as full as the large ones generally are. ' Duchess of Somerset, nee Shawe Stewart. COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 55 " All Wednesday I was in a state of excitement as to whether John could come to take me to the Coronation, as I had two tickets for the gallery above the north transept. Uncle Fred, who did not intend to go, remained in town instead of going to Rich- mond Park, in case John should not come in time, which was so good-natured, for he would much rather have stayed at home. On Wednesday night, after I was in bed, John arrived, having had great difficulty in getting leave, and came off so quick that he could not bring his uniform. So he was in despair, and sat up for an age, sending to his tailor and Cap- tain Williams and all the world, in vain, to try to get a uniform to go with me. However, he could not. " At a quarter to five Uncle Fred and I set off, he in full uniform and such a number of orders, and me having trimmed my last year's tulle gown with gold vine leaves, and got a wreath of gold leaves for my head. We got into the line in Regent Street, and got to the Abbey after six. On the way Lord Glenelg saw my uncle, and gave him two tickets for the choir gallery, thinking we should see better. When we got into the gallery we could see nothing, and only be made deaf with the organ ; so Uncle F. went to see if he could manage to put me among the Privy Councillors, but that would not do. Mr. Gray and Mary Anne were in the same scrape. At last Uncle F. and I went to the gallery above the north transept and opposite the peers. We were so high up we could hardly make out faces, but we saw the throne, and the place where the Queen sat when she 56 REMINISCENCES OF first came in. There we sat from six till twelve, when the Queen came. We could not see the altar, but saw her come in and sit down ; and then she went to the altar, and we saw the Bishop of London preach a sermon ; and then all the peers shouted, and we saw them put on their coronets when she was crowned at the altar, which we did not see. It was a beautiful sight, but the music is rather lost in the Abbey. Back came the Queen from the altar, wear- ing the crown, and sat down in her chair ; and the Archbishop read something, and she got up and walked to the throne, all the Dukes' daughters bear- ing her train, and she seated herself on the throne, all the people shouting, and the music also ; then all the nobles did her homage, beginning by her two uncles. They first touch the crown on her head, then kneel down and kiss her hand, but the Royal Family kissed her cheek. When the Duke of Sussex knelt down he was a long time, and said something to her, and she bent forward and gave him a kiss. They cheered for such a time when the Duke of Wellington did homage, and waved handkerchiefs. (I was so glad.) *' Old Lord Rolle is so old he tumbled down in going up the steps to do homage. They say the Queen started off her seat, but I did not see it, though there seemed to be a great commotion for a moment. While the peers were doing homage we went round to the south transept to see the peeresses, who looked most splendid. After that we could not see the altar, and it was nearly over, so we went down the House of Commons dac^ stair, and got COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 57 over to Westminster Hall to get the carriage, but found it would not be up for an hour and a half. So we walked round the outside of the i\bbey, and saw all the mob and guards and got into the nave, a long, immense passage by which the Queen and peers enter, lined with guards and men-at-arms, which I should never have seen except for being with my uncle. Then we met Sir R. Otway, who went and asked Sir Frederick Rowe's leave to cram one young lady into the place near the door of the Abbey, where all the old Generals and Admirals were. Sir F. Rowe said I might go if they could manage it with- out his having to give leave, so in I went to the Abbey again (before the peers had finished doing homage) and was put among such charming old heroes, all of whom one has heard of. There was no other lady near, so I felt rather queer. However they put me in a good place in front, and told me ' not to be in a fright, as there were plenty of soldiers to defend me '. I found Sir Philip Durham ^ there, and they were so good-natured to me. The Queen passed, and all the suite, quite close to us as she went out, so three of these old heroes told me who every one was. The Duke of Wellington stopped to talk close below as he went out, and Lord Melbourne, so I took a good look at him. Soult and all the foreign Ambassadors, Turks, etc., etc., passed close. Soult was well cheered, thanks to Uncle Fred, who gave xht. first cheer for him. ^Admiral (of Fordel). His brother, General James Durham, married my aunt. 58 REMINISCENCES OF *' After they had passed we stood among the peers till they went, and then went to look at the altar, and then tried to get away in vain. So at last the police said we could walk quite well to the Ad- miralty. So off we set, gold wreath and white shoes, with a policeman before us to make way. We had some little trouble, as we did nothing but meet bodies of guards going in different ways, but they let us pass between their ranks. We got on so well that we bid the policeman good-bye, and got on quite well till we came to the end of King Street, where we found a crowd and numbers of tipsy women. However we got through, thanks to the police, and got on till past the Horse Guards, so there we were fairly stopped. The mob was quiet, very polite, but seemed to think us great fun. The procession I believe had caused it, as it had not quite passed, so there we were close to the Admiralty, but no hope of ever getting to the gate. Some gentlemen and an old Italian woman and man were v^ry polite and kept the mob off me. Though they were quiet it was not pleasant to be in the middle of them in full dress and my uncle's uni- form, so we were rather too much stared at to be agreeable. " At last, seeing the Admiralty was hopeless, my uncle thought we might squeeze back a few steps to the Horse Guards, which, with the help of our Italian old body and man and some difficulty, we managed, and seeing his uniform they let us in. So I was put into Colonel Egerton's room till Uncle Fred got the gate of the Admiralty open, and he and Colonel COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 59 Egerton took me to the garden. In crossing the office we found John and Willy going to take "Miss Apples " home, who looked amazed to see us there, as we were to have come straight here from the Abbey. Many ladies walked home, but after the procession had passed, and before. We found the remains of a large d^jeun^ and party at Aunt Charles's, " I shall leave the procession to some one else to tell, as I only saw the Duke of Newcastle's carriage like some fairy tale. The horses were covered with blue satin bows, and blue satin ribbon manes. We got home here in the carriage in about an hour, and I slept a round of the clock. I never saw such a quiet mob. John and Captain Williams saw the fireworks and illuminations, which were quite superb ; many ladies did also, but we were too tired. Emily Montgomery went and saw, but was considerably alarmed at the mob, and no wonder. " The Duke of Wellington gave a grand ball last night, so there was enough done. " Mrs. Broke and Kate Muir and Glenace came to see us to-day, all looking so well. I don't know how long leave John has got, but I hear Lord Rosslyn has given him some ; but he has gone to get it settled with Sir John McDonald. We go to the opera to- night to see the Puritani with the Montgomerys, who go to Scotland to-morrow. " There is a fancy fair in Hyde Park to-day and to-morrow. We are going to see it — in short, every one is mad here. The foreigners say, * Everything 6o REMINISCENCES OF in dis contree vary parfit, but die crowd everywhere, a crowd ballroom, even — always a crowd '. I sup- pose they think it is always as bad as at present. " Your affectionate " Mary A. Thomson. ** Uncle Fred thinks of going to Scotland on Wednesday or Thursday. The only thing I was sorry for at the Coronation was his going with me instead of being in his proper place as a Privy Councillor. ." I believe I have left out words and made many mistakes in my letter, but have no time to read it again. I hope Granty keeps better since he went to Blair. John stays till Thursday, so I don't know when we go to Richmond Park, as it is full ; besides John has numbers of friends in town and would rather remain. " I was glad Clem did not go to the Abbey. She is better, I think, since we came. But it was such hard work, and even I had to stand on a bench on tip-toes till I could hardly move — many little people saw nothing. " I think you will be tired of this letter, it is so long. Have you any commissions.'* I wish you could have been here yesterday, for I really did en- joy it. Tell Louisa that for once I could not sleep from excitement the night before the Coronation. Think of sage old me being such a goose ! The opera to-night is the Puritani, so good. I expect that Albertazzi will sing the part Fanny Windham COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 6i used. Tell Louisa old Mrs. Villiers is as good- natured as last year, and Miss Lister's friendship continues. Anne Elphinstone is living at Kent House. " I found Sir P. Durham among the old Admirals and Generals — most agreeable, and so fond of Teddy- Adam. Col. Wemyss managed the procession." [The writer was Mary, my fourth sister. She married the Rev. Ramsay Campbell, son of Sir Archibald Campbell of Succoth. Her daughter, Clem Campbell, sent me the letter. " Dover Street." — She was staying in a lodging in Dover Street. " Aunt Charles." — Wife of my uncle. Admiral Sir Charles Adam, who was one of the Lords of the Admiralty. Lord Fitz- William was grandfather of the present Earl. " John Balfour " (of Balbirnie). " Tina," his sister, now Mrs. Robert Ellis. She had gone to America. " Frederick Romily " married one of the Elliots. Edmund Elliot was Colonel, 79th Highlanders. " Elliots." — Daughters of Lord Minto. He was First Lord of the Admiralty. Lady Minto and Lady Adam were sisters. "Lister." — Lord John Russell's first wife was a f Lister, his second wife an Elliot. '* Uncle Fred." — General Sir Frederick Adam, commanded a Brigade of Guards at Waterloo. " Ann and William Elphinstone." — My mother's 62 REMINISCENCES OF cousins. My grandmother was Hon. Eleanora Elphinstone, sister of Lord Keith the Admiral. " Lady Keith " (in her own right) married Count de Flahault. " Emily," her daughter, afterwards Lady Lansdowne. "The Hume Drummonds." — Late Duchess of Athol was one of them. " Jane Dalyell." — Sister of Sir Ralph Anstruther of Balcaskie. ** Augustus Hamilton," Captain, (.'*) Highlanders. " Gibson Craig," father of the present Sir James. ** Montgomeries." — James Montgomery married my eldest sister, Eleanor. " Elibank," married Montgomery's sister. " Lord Milton," late Lord Fitz- William, died 1902. " Duchess Maggie." — Duchess of Somerset, Margaret Shawe Stewart. " Apples." — Miss Applebee, my sister's gover- ness.] Lord Rosslyn lived at Gedling, a house of Lord Chesterfield's, and was in command of the regiment. In the autumn of 1838 I was sent from Notting- ham to Derby, where we had one troop in billets. Percy Williams was Captain, and Spottiswoode and I subalterns. Percy Williams spent most of his time at Melton whenever he could get away. We lived in a little house in the Osmaston Road, and our chief allies were Peter Colvile and Jack Story of Locking- ton. He then lived at Spoondon, and was after- COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 63 wards master of the Donnington Hounds. Col vile lived at a place called Duffield, six miles from Derby. He used to drive in and out in a trap with a little bay mare. He often came in to dine with us. Spot- tiswoode's brother-in-law was Lord John Scott. He lived at Causton, near Rugby. He one day sent us a hare, so we gave a dinner party and had a carouse. Our guest was Peter Colvile, and he dined in Spot- tiswoode's dressing gown. When it was time to go home he put on a forage cap, got into the buggy, put his legs into the boot, and his back to the splash- board, twisted the reins round his hand and put his hands in his pockets. At daylight Poyser, the old butler, found him at the gate at Duffield in the same position. One day the Meynell Hounds met at Kedliston Inn. I saw a thin solemn man standing holding a good-looking brown horse which I recognised as Ellis's, who was quartered at Nottingham. Later in the day my horse leaped into a new-made drain and fell, and the solemn man nearly jumped on to me. The rider was Captain Mildmay Clark, after- wards my greatest friend in the Pytchley country. He and Ellis had been together in the i6th Lancers. Hugo Meynell was then a schoolboy and used to come out on a black pony, and Jack Leedham, the second whip, used to look after him. About this time John Madocks joined — my dearest friend all the rest of his life — the picture of a soldier and a gentleman, very good looking and strong as a horse, about 5 ft. 11 in., like Prince 64 REMINISCENCES OF Albert, but more manly looking and more expres- sion. A first-rate horseman, capital cricketer, could run like a stag, full of fun, very popular with every- body, and the best-dressed man in the regiment. He came from an infantry regiment, the 68th I think. About Christmas I was sent to Notting- ham. On the 20th April, 1839, my grandfather died. I came from Nottingham to attend his funeral at Greyfriars Church, Edinburgh. After the funeral, as I had a few days' leave, I went over to Charleton with my sister Louisa. The hounds met one day at Auchmore Bridge. I rode over to Leslie, and Lord Rothes lent me a capital little horse called " The Barber ". They had a capital run over the top of Benarty. The frost was not out of the ground, and galloping on the side of the hill, " The Barber " slipped up, and I broke the small bone of my leg just above the ankle. James Johnstone of Alva came to help me and got me on the horse again, and I rode down to the Blair Adam Inn, put my leg into a bucket of hot water, got some eggs and bacon and sent to Kinross for a post-chaise and for Dr. Gray, who had attended us at Blair Adam when we were children. I was moved to Kirkland's Inn at Kinross and put to bed, and my sister Louisa was sent for. I think she came next day, and the day after we got home to Charleton. About the same time my special friend and play- fellow at Nottingham, John Madocks, was out hunt- COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 65 ing with Fred Isaac. They were engaged to dine out, and so were anxious to get home. There was a short way to the barracks across the park, and an iron-bound gate which was kept locked, but a man was usually there with a key. This time he was not there, and as they were in a hurry Madocks says, " I key, will you have a shy at it ? " He said, ** All right, go on ". Madocks rode at the gate, his horse caught it with his knees and turned right over, falling with his hip bone on the middle of Madocks's back. It was just opposite the " Admiral Warren " public- house, and some people came to his assistance and got a door to lay him on. Isaac galloped away for the doctor. By this time Captain Little had arrived, and Madocks said to him, " It's all up with me, Corporal ". He answered, " Not a bit, my boy, you're worth a dozen dead ones ". He was carried into barracks, and it was found that his os coccyx, the lowest bone of the spine, was fractured. If it had been an inch higher it would have been fatal. He was laid up many weeks, and could only move his shoulders by lifting himself by a rope fixed to two crossed lances. But eventually he got quite well. During this season we hunted with the Marquis of Hastings, who then had the Donnington country. Will Head was his huntsman ; Jack Ransom first whip. The Marquis was a very charming man, and very hospitable to us. Old Jack Masters had the South Notts. Markwell was his kennel huntsman. We often hunted with him. One day I was out with the Belvoir when Lord VOL. I. 5 66 REMINISCENCES OF Forester was master and old Goosey huntsman, and sometimes with the Quorn, with Lord Suffield, master ; Charles Tread well, huntsman. He bought Sir Matthew White Ridley's hounds. It was not a successful season, and at the end of it the bailiffs came and seized the hounds, Lord Suffield being bankrupt. Mr. Robertson of Lady Kirk bought them, and engaged Treadwell as his huntsman, and hunted Berwickshire. We went to Norwich, and soon after our arrival there was a sale of all Lord Suffield's things at Gun- ton. Archie Little and I bought four guns, one of which I have now. Our principal amusement was cricket, and there was a capital club at Blickling, to which we went once a week. We also started a coach. In the winter we hunted with Lord Sondes and Sir Jacob Astley. Chapelow was huntsman ; Harry Taylor and Brett whips. In the year 1839 I got my first and only lesson in gambling. We went to Newmarket Races, and Little, Willoughby, Isaac and I posted up to London to go to a "hell". We arrived about 10 p.m., and went to the " Cocoanut Tree," either in Haymarket or Waterloo Place. We sat down, Willoughby next me, and rattled the dice, and called " Seven is the main," but the dice never turned up right. I lost jC2$, and said to Willoughby, " This is d d bad fun — I'll have no more of it ". He said, " I agree with you ". So we stopped and never played again, and got our lesson cheap. We got into our chaise. COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 67 and posted back to Newmarket in time for the races. Willoughby went to India with the regiment, and died there. This year the order came out that cavalry soldiers were not to shave their upper lip. When William IV. came to the throne the 9th Lancers were at Hampton Court, and the escort were ordered to cut off their moustaches. This was in 1 830. On 25th April, 1840, the regiment marched to Hounslow. There was a little barrack at the gate of Hyde Park at the top of Queen's Gate. The regiment at Hounslow had to furnish thirty men and four corporals and one sergeant to do the orderly duty and escorts in London, and I, being senior subaltern, was stationed there. I was presented to Her Majesty Queen Victoria by Lord Rosslyn at one of the first levies. I had all the picked men of the regiment and picked horses. They were a real fine lot of old soldiers. In those days they enlisted for twenty - four years. Many of them were six feet high, and in stable dress they looked like lifeguardsmen. My sergeant was a very smart chap named Nile, who was always for making a good appearance. They were all men of good character. The only punish- ment was to be sent back to the regiment, and it never happened all the time I was there. One chap was taken ill and was afraid he would be sent to hospital, so he took eight ounces of salts in eight doses! We had to send four men and a corporal every day to the Horse Guards. Lord Rosslyn'g 5* 68 REMINISCENCES OF orders to me were, " Inspect every party yourself, and attend to the shoeing ". They paraded at nine o'clock, so I cut out before breakfast and sometimes back to bed. Lord Rosslyn lived in Grosvenor Place and rode down to Hounslow almost every day. My rooms were on the ground floor, and sometimes he tapped on the window with his whip before I was up and called out, "Do you want anything?" "Corporal Home's horse did not trot on escort yesterday." " Send him back, and I'll send you another." My first escort was from Buckingham Palace to Claremont, about fourteen or fifteen miles. I had a great big high -stepping bay horse called "Cannibal," and all my escort were about the same pattern. We were drawn up at the gate of the palace facing in- wards, six men on each side, officer on the Queen's side, sergeant on the other. When the carriage left the palace door two first men moved off, then about a hundred yards behind them four more closely in front of the outriders. When the carriage came the officer saluted and took his place, the sergeant on the other side. The Queen looked me over from the top of my plume to the soles of my boots. The other six closed in close behind the carriage. It was a Saturday afternoon, and pretty hot in those days. We wore overalls, trousers and Wellington boots ; and the blood ran through the knees of my overalls before the end of the journey. Our lancer caps were an awful weight and top-heavy. The carriage horses were changed on the top of COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 69 the hill above Kingston, which gave our horses a moment to get their wind. The Royal carriage goes about ten miles an hour. We then went on to Clare- mont and marched back quietly to Kingston, where we were billeted for the night. I went back to Claremont in a cab, where there was dinner in the ante-room for the officers of the guard of honour and escort. I forget who they were, but the Hon. Charles Murray, who was comptroller of the household, came and talked to us. We went back to London on Sunday evening after dinner, and it was quite dark when we got back. I reported to Lord Rosslyn that it was too long a job for troop horses, and he arranged that they should be relieved every six miles. Relieving escort was a very pretty sight. The new escort was formed on each side of the road facing inwards. The two leading men of the old escort formed up on the new escort, and the two leading men of the new escort broke away, and so on in succession without any check in the pace of the carriage. A lunatic named Oxford fired a pistol at the Queen's carriage one day while driving in the park. Soon after this I had the escort for six miles out of London. The park was lined with carriages and crowds of people cheering, and the school children threw flowers on the road in front of the carriage, and the Queen wept and sobbed the whole way. After this we were ordered to ride close to the Queen to protect her person. ;o REMINISCENCES OF CHAPTER VI. HAMPTON COURT AND DORCHESTER. In 1840, when I was quartered at Kensington Gate, in the 9th Lancers, my uncle, Sir Charles Adam, was one of the Lords of the Admiralty. My sister Mary lived with them all that season. Lord Minto was First Lord. Lady Adam and Lady Minto were sisters, and my cousin Mary Adam (afterwards Mrs. Lindsay Antrobus) was about the same age as my sister. I had lots of opportunities of attending parties and balls, as I was often included in their invitations. At that time Almack's was all the fashion, and Lady Willoughby d'Eresby was one of the lady patron- esses. She was my mother's cousin, and was very kind in giving me tickets. There was a good deal more formality in those days. You asked a lady to *' do you the honour of dancing with you ". Qua- drilles were the mainstay ; no lancers, no gallops, no polkas, no flying about with deux temps. Waltzing was a solemn proceeding : a pirouette — one, two, three ; one, two, three. Charles Mathews (the famous actor) in a play about that date, in a song, describes a ball : "You look down at your shoes, and glide about like melancholy kangaroos." No sitting COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 71 out, or tiirting in the corners ; when the dance was over the young lady was marched straight up to her chaperon, and handed over to her with a low bow. The first time I saw a polka danced was at Leamington in 1843. ^ chap named Bradshaw danced it, and everybody looked on. When we were quartered at Exeter we got a bandsman with a flageolet to stand behind the screen in the mess- room to play for us while we practised ; and we soon became pretty good at it. 20th June, 1840. — When quartered at Hounslow, Frank Willoughby and I were driving a gig to Lon- don with "The Flying Horse," and going about six- teen miles an hour, when we met a tax-cart in the middle of the road. We were on the right side, and I believe the driver of the cart pulled the wrong rein. We went crash into it, broke both shafts, and were shied out. The horse ran away and was captured somewhere in Turnham Green. I pitched on the back of my head and cut a gash in it ; Willoughby landed on his nose and cut it badly. We had just scrambled on to our feet when a beastly man ran up and gave us in charge of a policeman for furious driving, so we were marched off to the police office. The policeman was a very good fellow and rather spoke up for us, as we were on the right side of the road, and the inspector released us on payment of ;^i to the man in the cart, as some of his harness was broken. He had come from Windsor with the Queen's plate. We got a fly and went on to Limmer's Hotel, and 72 REMINISCENCES OF then tried to get some one to doctor Willoughby's face. The man at the chemist's shop looked out of the window and thought we were chaffing him, and we had great difficulty in persuading him to come. I saw stars for a little while, but Willoughby was on the sick list for several days. One night coming up from Windsor on Watkin Wynne's coach with a team of post-horses I was driving and going about fifteen miles an hour. At the turnpike gate at Brentford there was a waggon between us and the light, and I was close to the gate before I saw it. I said, " Catch hold of the whip, Pat, I can't stop them ! " I reached my right hand down, got a good grip of the reins, and pulled them well together. The leaders half rose at the gate and caught it with their collars, and burst it open. There was no harm done, except our main bar broke, but we had a spare one and were off^ again in two minutes. On 1 6th August I went on leave, and got my troop before I returned. I was at Hounslow the rest of the season and hunted with the Queen's stag- hounds. Sir John Halkett was living at Pitfirrane in 1841. The Fife Hounds were at the Green Inn, Kinross. I was staying at Blair Adam, and also Jim Mont- gomery ; John Grant and John Whyte-Melville at Broom Hall. I forget where they met, but they ran through Dhu Craigs to Tulliallan. I was riding ** Cannibal " and got into a bog, a real bad one, and there was nothing sticking out except his head. COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 73 Presently I saw Walker and Stephen Goodall trot- ting along the road over the moor about half a mile off. Walker said, " Stephen, see that — that's Sir John " (thinking I was Sir John Halkett). " That's what will happen to you if you don't mind where you are going," and trotted on without taking any further notice of me. Presently Mr. Whyte-Melville ap- peared, and he was more charitable and came to help me. A girl came from a cottage and said, " They once had a coo in it". Then Jim Harrison came, whose horse had shut up. At last we got " Cannibal " out by digging bits of turf and putting them under him, but he was dead beat when we got him out. 26th January, 1841. — The regiment was still at Hounslow. I was at Leamington on leave in January. There was a prize-fight between Jack Hannan and Johnny Broome somewhere in Oxford- shire. We started with a team from Leamington — John Madocks, Charlie Brooke, Clarke, Charlie Synge, and, I think, Billy Williams. The loth Hussars were quartered at Coventry. We changed horses at Banbury and also somewhere near Bices- ter. We passed Sir Henry Peyton's (Swift's house), drove across fields and all sorts of places. The first part of the fight was very pretty. The men looked like marble statues, and every movement was graceful, and they were a long time before they hurt each other. Broome was a very handsome man, rather the taller and heavier of the two. Jack Han- nan had a real fighting mug. The fight lasted a long time and both men were much exhausted. Lord U REMINISCENCES OF Queensberry said to Hannan, "How are you getting on, Jack?" " Werry bad, I sees two on em." " Then knock one of them down," said Queens- berry. He had at last to give up, and, I believe, broke a bone in his hand. As he got into the chaise to go away, he was holding his hand and saying " My poor 'and ". Getting home was a job. There was a string of carriages, and on a sudden stop just as we were crossing a bridge at a gateway, our off wheeler's hind leg slipped into a ditch, but when we went on the other horses pulled him out. One of the leaders got so done that we took him out and turned him loose on the road, intending to go on with a " pickaxe ". We gave him a pint of sherry. When we started some one blew the horn and he trotted on. He ran before us for two miles. We then caught him and put him to again, and we got back to Leamington late at night. 28th January, 1841. — We had a steeplechase at Southam when I was on leave at Leamington. Piers Mostyn, first. John Madocks on " Creole". Edward Mostyn, 8th Hussars, on " Seventy-four". Chas. Brooke. Billy Williams on " Coronet ". Robertson (Foveran). J. A. T. on "Prisoner". I think the weight was thirteen stone. I reduced myself to 12 st. 8 lb., in my shirt about three days before the race ; but I got tired of starving and COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON ;5 drank a pot of porter, and was a good deal over- weight. My horse was a very hard puller and not very fit. I was obliged to make the running, for my horse would not be denied. He jumped the first three or four fences beautifully. Andrew Robertson then came alongside of me. The next fence was a wall rather up hill. His horse refused it and so did mine, but I turned him round and got over all right and on to the brook, which he jumped like a bird. The journey was about half over when I felt him collapse, and all the others in a ruck caught me. There was a grip running slant way down the field, and I could not get my horse to cross it. He ran down it to the end of the field. Billy Williams bumped Charlie Brooke here and said, " Beg your pardon, old fellow ". " Go along, this is no time for buffoonery," was the reply. Piers Mostyn was first. I forget how the others were placed, but I was fifth. On 4th April, 1841, I marched from Hampton Court to Dorchester. I think that Little was in command. The Exeter up mail used to go through Dor- chester at 7 P.M. and return at 7 a.m. Bill Cherry was the coachman who went to Salisbury, forty-four miles and back. We arrived at Salisbury about 11.30, used to lie down and sleep till 3.40 a.m. and then off again. I used to go about twice a week, and it was grand going over Salisbury Plain, just when it was getting daylight. The proprietors got to know me pretty well, and made no objection to my driving. y6 REMINISCENCES OF I took my chance, heavy loads or light, and got practice which was useful to me ever afterwards. Poor Bill Cherry a few years after (when the rail was opened to Southampton, instead of going to Salisbury the mail went through the New Forest) got off the road in a fog and upset the coach. It fell on his head and dashed his brains out. 13th April. — The day after arriving at Dor- chester I got out roe-hunting with Major Shirley's harriers at Milton Abbas. I rode " Cannibal " and mounted Spicer on " Viceroy ". Had one day with Farquharson at Moreton, and one more day roe- hunting, and that finished the season. I had got my troop before the regiment left Hounslow, when Whalley retired. It cost ;^5,ooo. I insured my life for ;^5,ooo. I have been a good bargain for the Insurance Company as I have paid ;^i 19 for sixty years. At that time the regiment was under orders for India. One night when I returned to barracks at 7 A.M. I found John Madocks in my bed. He had come up from Exeter. I laid down on the sofa and went to sleep. By-and-bye he said, " Where have you been, and what have you been doing } " I said, " I have been to London to see about an exchange, and I mean to go into the Carabineers". "Oh, d n it, no. Don't be a heavy, and wear a brass hat." I said, " The only other regiment in which there are any vacancies is the 13th. There is a Captain and Lieutenant who wish to exchange." " Let's go together wherever we go," said he. " All COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON yy right," I said, and we wrote at once and effected the exchange. I exchanged with Captain Reid and paid ;^i,5CX) for the exchange, making my troop cost ;^6,500. From Dorchester my troop was sent to Maiden Newton during an election, in July, 1841. I was in London, and came down on Sunday morning by the mail, arriving at 7 a.m. I got a hack and cantered off. Meeting a boy on the road I said, " Is this the way to Maiden Newton ? " "It wor, but 't wor burned down this morning." I quickened my pace, and on arriving there found twelve or fourteen houses burned down, and if my men had not been there it would have been burned down altogether. All the garden walls were built of mud and thatched with straw, which they call "cob" walls, and the fire ran like lightning from house to house. My men were marching to church. A chap was frying bacon, and some one shouted, "Come and see the soldiers". He upset his pan, the grease flared up, and set the chimney on fire. Nicholson was with me, and we were kept there about a month. Before we left the authorities gave us a supper and a sum of money to pay for new overalls for the men. 24th September. — First day of the season 1841. Drax's hounds met at Stock House. John Last, huntsman. Farquharson was Master of Hounds in Dorsetshire. He was very like old Keate of Eton. He had just lost a son in the 7th Hussars, ;8 REMINISCENCES OF and was very down. Jim Tread well was hunts- man. One of the whips called Penny was nearly black. Old Lord Portman came over one day to try to persuade old Farquharson to give up some of his country, but he did not succeed. He was very kind to me, and I went often out hunting with him, and stayed at Langton. I met old Billy Butler, the sporting parson, who was a friend of George IV. He rode thoroughbred horses, and was followed by a groom in a blue coat down to his heels. One day about luncheon time he said to his servant (they were standing in a turnip-field at the time, hounds drajv- ing covert), " Jan, gi'e me a turnip ". " Maester, they be Swedes." On 12th November I went on leave. The 9th Lancers went to India in 1842, and served all through the Indian Mutiny under Sir Hope Grant. The following notice appeared in the Times on their return : — " The remaining squadron of the 9th Lancers, which had been sent for the morning previously, had joined us from Bareilly, and the regiment was now complete. It would be unjust to officers and men if one were to allow them to pass without a word of praise for their appearance in the field and their efficiency in all points. They have been now sixteen years in India, and it would be difficult to find any cavalry regiment in the world which could compete with them in all the qualities which consti- tute a perfect service regiment. Notwithstanding COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 79 the sickness from which they have suffered during their long-continued and arduous duties, the squad- rons are tolerably strong, and horses and men are in good condition, although the former seem occa- sionally to overweigh their chargers, all of them being tall and muscular men. Most of the troopers have seen much service before Delhi, and under Sir C. Campbell they have acted as cavalry, as infantry, as artillery, and as military train ; and the quickness with which they turn out, after a long and dusty march, in clean white cap covers and pantaloons and well-brushed jackets, with horses well-groomed and polished accoutrements, shows that the men have a soldierly pride in looking smart. They have taken the flag off their lances, and many of the men have substituted the long bamboo used by the native Lancers, instead of the ash shaft according to regulations. " About the beginning of September my uncle, Sir Charles Adam, went out as Admiral on the West Indian station. My sister Louisa went with Lady Adam and Mary (afterwards Mrs. Antrobus). Cap- tain Katon was his Flag- Lieutenant. They went out in the Pique — Captain Boxer, Harry Loch, the late Lord Loch, was a midshipman. I went down to Southampton with them and stayed on board two days. My sister Louisa was on board the Admiral's flag- ship, and she wrote the following letter : — 80 REMINISCENCES OF " Bermuda, 17th December, 1844. " No. 95. Thermometer 60°. (Shivering, and got a fire.) ••••'* Now, let me consider what we have been doing for the last month. On the 24th there was the most beautiful eclipse of the moon I ever saw ; it lasted upwards of an hour. Then we have been riding a little and sailing, and having people to dinner ; but not Bermudians, only officers of the army and navy. Captain Scott is a com- fortable sort of man, who seems as if he belonged to us, and Captain Sturt of the Rose is a prim, pleasant, oldish man. He is either brother or cousin to the Mr. Sturt that married Sir R. Sale's daughter. I do wish you could see a boat-race here. We were four hours sailing in the I/ede without being tired. There were upwards of fifty boats sailing in every direction, and the racing-boats like white fairies skimming along. The sailing boats, you know, are not open, but decked, so that you can stand and move about as much as you please. On the 28th we went to a subscription ball at St. George's. Uncle Charles excused himself The day proved calm, so Mr. Katon drove the phaeton, in which went we three ladies ; our goods went by water. We being grand had the garrison gig (which means a boat belonging to the officers) to meet us, so we sent it to bring our clothes, otherwise they would not have sailed in till eight o'clock, which was the fate of much of the beauty and fashion from this end of the island. We went to Colonel Hutchinson's, where COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 8i we had a very nice room, but only one among us, as Mrs. Hutchinson has no drawing-room, but sits on the verandah, which did very well, as the night was fine. She has such little ducks of children, full of fun and ready to play with any one. After dinner we walked down a very dusty hill to the old town hall, which was clean and well lighted ; a capital band, a superfluity of partners, and plenty of funny people to amuse us. A ball in a warm climate is so nice from all the windows being open ; the only mis- fortune is that everybody walks, and brings in a peck of dust a-piece. There is a Miss Althea Tucker, like a very fat Georgina Hay, with curls all over her head, who danced fine steps to my delight, and a still fatter Humpty Dumpty, who boasted the name of Mrs. Washington. Frocks and tunics of all kinds and dimensions ; very few pretty faces, and never a good figure. Next day my aunt and Mailly came home in the phaeton, going first to a ploughing match, for five guineas, given by my uncle. There were actually sixteen ploughs. There were only three six years ago, and the cultivation has improved wonderfully since we were here. The Governor and Admiral and all the big wigs were there. I had a four hours' beat, with the wind right against us, in the Hebe, having the two Miss Reids, one a non- entity, the other a great talker. Captain Erskine and Mr. Katon, so we were pleasant enough, and ap- proved of our expedition very much. Then we have had visitors (ladies) staying in the house. I've va- cated my room for Mr. and Mrs. Hallowell, and went VOL. I. 6 82 REMINISCENCES OF to a small one made in the corner of the verandah for Willie, and Mailly gave hers to a stupid little Miss Oldershaw, an engineer's daughter, who she fancies she is very fond of, but she gets very tired of her, and returns to recover the fatigue of entertaining her. We generally have midshipmen on Sunday. So, al- together, without my uncle and aunt, we went a party of ten to fetch a walk, and met a party of nine from Government House. It is lucky we are a long mile asunder, otherwise, I think, they would try to run in and out. " You can't get up races in Fife ; but we are much grander. On the nth we all set out for St. George's, after various doubts and fears. The morn- ing being rainy, it cleared, and down we sailed in an hour, and this time we had a whole lodging-house to ourselves. Most of the Bermuda houses have the staircase entering the sitting-room (for coolness I suppose). This was a good large one and three small bedrooms off it ; so John Erskine and Mr. Katon went to their friends at the barracks. We walked up to the racecourse, which was about half a mile round a field, and went into the stand, where we found the Reids, Hutchinsons, various officers, ladies and dockyard belles. Four started for the first race — The Ladies' Purse — but in the first heat Lord Mark Kerr, who was running, had a bad fall and was distanced. It was just in front of the stand ; some ladies wept and some turned white, some red ; but he was not hurt, only being very light, he carried three stone dead-weight, which was not pleasant to COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 83 fall with. Mr. Ratcliffe, our next friend, rode beauti- fully, but had a bad horse. So Captain Crofton's won, rode by Mr. Autley, neither of whom we cared about. The fourth horse was a Bermudian's, with an American jockey, who everybody expected would do something unfair, as such things are allowed in America ; but, on the contrary, he lost very good- naturedly. Then there was a hurdle race, which Lord Mark did win, and a third race. This was all charming, and I could not help thinking what I would have given ten years ago to have seen so many certain and undeniable partners for the approaching ball. A new friend is Mr. Paget, in the Artillery, brother to the maid-of-honour, good-looking and con- ceited ; never wishes to be ten miles from London, and always keeps his mouth open. Then there is dear, good-humoured Mr. Baring, covered with turquoises ; and fat Captain Crespigny, and a silly Major Home, and a solemn Captain Gordon of Park, and Captain Birdmore, with Valenciennes ruffles (is that the fashion ?), besides all the sailors ; and there is a rarity, a civilian, Mr. Kennedy, the flagship's eldest brother, visiting his uncle, who is Colonial Secretary here ; scarcely been out of Ire- land, and so entertaining ; he has been travelling, and has discovered why the Yankees eat so quick — it is because they keep their mouths for eating and speak with their noses ! All his discoveries are in the same vein with a strong brogue. We mis- managed our affairs sadly, except my aunt, who said she was tired and would dine on the cold meat we 6» 84 REMINISCENCES OF had brought. My uncle dressed, and we pegged up the hill to Mrs. Hutchinson's. It was then beginning to blow. We had a pleasant dinner ; the verandah was uninhabitable, so went into the nursery to have coffee, and then were to walk all through the town home to dress. When I saw how pitch dark it was, and knew the difficulty of finding the way through lanes and wynds in the daylight, I took fright with only a servant ; so I popped my head into the dining- room, and said, ' We shall meet at the ball, uncle,' which meant, * Will some one come with us ? ' So Mr. Katon said, ' Stop, you are not going alone '. So off he came ; patent-leather boots and gold-laced trousers. It was an even downpour, the road in puddles. Very soon the light went out, and off ran the servant to get another. We floundered on. At last, seeing a light, we rushed into a miserable vegetable store (shop), where a black woman and some children could give us no help, and to everybody that passed Mr. Katon called out, ' Goldsmith ' (the servant). At last a man with a light said, 'Sir, can I be of any use ? I will show you your way ? ' ' Oh, thank you — to Mrs. Higgs.' ' Mrs. Sammy Higgs ! ' screamed Mailly, so proud of having learned the ' Sammy ' from a black boy, when asking her way in the morning. Our unknown preserver guided us there, and remains unknown to this moment. ..." COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 85 CHAPTER VH. 13TH LIGHT DRAGOONS. I JOINED the 13th Light Dragoons at Hampton Court on 21st January, 1842. Billy Gore (Lord Harlech) joined at the same time. He came from an infantry regiment, and was much chaffed, as they said he gave the word of command, " Fix bayonets ! " My troop was billeted at Colnbrook, and a squadron at Slough. The regiment was sent from Canterbury to do the escort for the King of Prussia, who had come over to be godfather to the Prince of Wales. The regiment had just returned from India and were a very untidy lot (the horses were all four years old and most of them had sore backs). They had abominable shakos with broad tops and oilskin covers, that looked like black band-boxes ; blue jackets with buff facings, red and yellow girdles, blue overalls with two buff stripes, Wellington boots and long hair. The best thing they had was " Sammy stone," a soft green stone which they brought from India, wonderfully good stuff to polish steel. They had marched up from Canterbury. Our Colonel (Brunton) had been in an infantry regiment in the Peninsula. He was a fine old soldier, and a most amiable agreeable gentleman ; a 86 REMINISCENCES OF first-rate drill, but no use as a cavalry soldier ; a very bad horseman, and knew little about horses. The Major, Wathen, came from the 1 5th Hussars. He had had Lord Cardigan tried by a court-martial and removed from the regiment. Cardigan was afterwards appointed to the nth Hussars. Mrs. Wathen was a pattern Major's wife, an excellent horsewoman, and very kind to all the boys in the regiment. She was one of the Rothes family. Digby Hamilton, senior Major. Jim Sergeaunt, a married chap and a great favourite. He died while in the regiment, so his wife lost all his purchase money. She had four sons, all of whom enlisted in the regiment. One of them was afterwards drill instructor to the Fife Light Horse, but he was not steady. He was a pattern dragoon and a first-rate drill. Another son was many years Regimental Sergeant-major in the 13th. He was specially allowed to retain his appointment, although past his time. " Paddy " Knox, a pattern Irishman, with a black wig. Charlie Doherty, from 1 4th Light Dragoons, com- manded the regiment in the Crimea, but was not present at Balaclava, being on sick list. Henry Hamilton (" Whisker"), a nice fellow who died of consumption some years afterwards. Sam Dickson, from the 32nd, a very smart, good- looking chap ; a capital officer and a good sportsman ; was afterwards Master of the Limerick Hounds. A capital coachman. COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 87 Tom Bateson, afterwards Sir Thomas, M.P,, very- good-looking and a charming gentleman. Hunter Allgood, Nunwick, Northumberland, afterwards M.F. H., Tyndale, a rare good fellow, very witty and full of fun, and a capital horseman. He had a famous little horse by " Dr. Syntax". His gun burst at Norwich and blew his thumb off He rode in a steeplechase with one hand. John Madocks, by good luck, was my Lieutenant, and our ambition was to get the men to look like the 9th Lancers. John Morgan Gwynne- Hughes, from 14th Light Dragoons, was my Cornet, in height about 6 feet 3 inches. A wonderful musician and a wonderful man to eat. He had a pack of hounds at home at Tregyb Llandilo, which he gave to the regiment, and they became the 13th Light Dragoons' Stag- hounds. I wrote from "CoLNBROOK, Tuesday, 2ith January, 1842. " My Dear Mother, — " I suppose you would like to know my operations since I left you. I had a very prosperous journey by the ' Chevy '. When I got to Eckington, near Derby, who did I see but that everlasting * Sam Slick' standing with his carpet-bag. I did not speak to him, so I don't know where he went to. I had two very pleasant companions going to Oxford — Seaton, a friend of Graham Montgomery's, and Mercer, who, I think, had been at Langhorn's with 88 REMINISCENCES OF Willie. He and a Miss Calder managed to change portmanteaus at Melrose, much to his disgust as he had to go on without it. At Derby I found an old Derby friend — Mr. Palmer Morewood, who said he had just come to Derby for the ball, and offered me a ticket and a dinner ; but the train was just starting, so I could not get my baggage. On Friday morn- ing I drove down to Hampton Court and found three troops there and the Colonel, etc. He is a very nice old fellow, and I liked the whole of them very well. They are the tallest lot of officers I ever saw. In our three troops there is no one under six feet. On Saturday I packed up all my kit, and found Madocks in London in the evening. On Sunday I went to Watford with him and saw the other three troops. Yesterday they marched to Slough ; two troops are billeted there and mine here. Madocks and I go to Slough to dinner and sleep here ; we are to dine with the Blues to-day and the nth to-morrow. "Wednesday. — Yesterday the baby ^ was christ- ened. Madocks had a ticket for it, so he saw it all ; the rest of us got into the quadrangle of the castle. It was a very pretty sight, the Guards, the 72nd and a guard of honour of the Blues all drawn up in it, and their bands playing by turns. Willy Adam (72nd) gave us a luncheon at his barracks. The banquet in the evening was very fine, but no tickets to be got, so I did not see it. Some of the officers of the Blues put on the band dress and marched in with their band, so they saw all the fun. This morn- 1 King Edward VII. COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 89 ing there was to be a review of horse artillery in the park, and the 72nd to have their new colours pre- sented to them. We are just going to ride over to see what is going on. It has been raining cats and dogs all morning. To-morrow I expect the King of Prussia will go to Oxford, and I expect we shall have to go with him. Some people say we shall return to Norwich, and remain there another year. I hope we may. Will you tell Ballingall to send the re- mains of my money to Cox & Co. What have you done with Jim ? Write to me at Limmer's, as I shall most likely be in town again soon, and I don't know where else we may be sent to. I hope you are all flourishing again and the colds gone. " Love to all, " Your affec. "J. A. T." The Blues were quartered at Windsor and were very hospitable to us, and the nth Hussars were at Hounslow commanded by Lord Cardigan. They sent us a regimental invitation to dinner. One of them, Cunningham, had a pack of staghounds which he kept at Jim Parson's public-house at Kingston. It was hard frost when we went to dine with them. After dinner we adjourned into some one's room. All sat on the floor and chaffed. About three in the morning it began to rain, and so we all wanted to hunt, but there was a watering parade ordered for the morning, so it was settled we should send a deputation to Cardigan to ask leave. 90 REMINISCENCES OF Johnny Vivian and I were selected. We knocked at his door and a gruff voice said ** Come in ". He was sitting on the side of his bed, with a shawl dress- ing-gown on and his hair all dishevelled and standing on end. He had not slept a wink, we had made such a row. We stated our request, and he said " Cer- tainly, certainly," so we thanked him and retired. In the morning he put his head cautiously outside the door and said, " Have all those d d fellows gone ? " We all assembled at Hampton Wick. I rode ** Prisoner " and mounted John Madocks on " Can- nibal ". The stag was turned out near Maldon in Surrey, and we had a good run of one and a half hour. We were all riding as jealous as demons, and crossed the Maldon River. I got to it first at a very bad place at a bend in the river. I never turned right or left, but went bang at it. In I went ; " Prisoner " just landed his fore-feet on the bank and scrambled out, and on we went. 1 8th February. — Marched from Colnbrook to Watford. Next day to St. Albans, and got a hunt with Harvey Coombe's hounds at Haresfoot, near Berkhampstead. Will Todd, huntsman. A fine pack of hounds, formerly Osbaldeston's. Ran first fox to ground, second beat us, ground foiled by harriers. 22nd March. — Norfolk Hounds met at Hock- ham, twenty-four or twenty-five miles from Norwich. I sent " Prisoner " on and rode '* Viceroy " to the meet. I went to breakfast with Mr. Partridge. They drew many coverts blank. Found in Braden- ham Woods at twenty minutes to four. Ran to COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 91 Swafifham Heath, and lost him at 5.15, about twenty- five miles from home. I had told my man to go home if I was not at a certain place at about five o'clock. I got there about twenty minutes late and never could overtake him, as my horse was tired. I got into barracks about ten o'clock, and found all the stables lighted. Asked a trumpeter what was up, and he told me my troop had been ordered to Lynn to quell a riot. I had had nothing to eat and had been wet to the skin twice. My Cornet, John Hughes, was dining out somewhere. I met Major Wathen at the mess-room door. He said, ** I am so glad you have come in — I was just preparing to go myself. Are you fit to go ? " " All right, sir," I said, " as soon as I have had some- thing to eat." I got some bubble and squeak and a bottle of claret. Luckily I had a fresh horse, " Cannibal ". By this time Hughes had come in, so he was started with the troop, and I followed after changing my clothes. I had forty horses with me, all five-year-olds, and all out of condition. Eight of them tumbled down during the night. It rained part of the time and froze in the morning and was very slippery. Luckily I had been in the habit of driving the Lynn mail, so knew the road, or we never should have got there. It was so dark that we had to feel the figures on the mile stones. The mail coach met us on the way, and Tom Raynham, the coachman, said, " You'll find they are 92 REMINISCENCES OF ready for you at Dereham " (a town on the road to Lynn). We got the horses put into the stables for twenty minutes, and had some coffee and off again. We arrived at Lynn about 10.30. On the way Colonel Oakes, the Chief-Constable (formerly of the Life Guards), overtook us in a waggonette with some policemen. We formed up in front of the Mayor's house. We had not been there ten minutes when the rioters appeared, eight abreast, arm in arm, right across the street. They came to a corner, saw the troop, all stopped, then marched on, turned down a street and we never saw them again. Our men were sent to their billets and ordered not to unsaddle their horses. They fed them and lay down on the straw beside them. I got some breakfast, lay down on the hearthrug with a sofa cushion under my head, and fell fast asleep. I had been out twenty-six hours and ridden over 126 miles. Colonel Oakes and his men went and arrested the ringleaders, and we heard no more of the riot. The dock porters had struck and threatened to burn down the Mayor's house. We were kept there about a month, and had a happy time of it, for we had nothing to do, and Mr. Villebois, the old squire at Marham, allowed us to go there whenever we liked. One night we had dined there and returned to Lynn in Hughes's gig. When we got into the town COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 93 the cloak round my legs was pulled. I said, " Why did you pull the cloak off me ? " He said, " I didn't ". Then it happened again just as we got to the inn door. The end of his cloak had got fast on the bolt of the wheel, and they had to back the cart round the market place to undo it. That summer, loth August, 1842, there were great manoeuvres in Germany, and any English officers who sent in their names to the War Office were allowed to attend them. Dickson and I applied. I sent two horses, " Viceroy," a white stallion, and a bay mare, as I thought it might be a good chance to sell them ; but that did not succeed, as most of the officers with whom we were, were visitors like our- selves. We were treated with the greatest hospi- tality, billeted and fed, and horses provided for us, and I received rations for my horses. I had a little stable boy about sixteen years old, Jim Chesnal. I wrote to John Madocks at Ipswich to send him and two horses to Cologne. I told him to send him to London, and " Peg," the one-legged porter at Limmer's, would forward him. Madocks sent for Jim and said to him, " You are to go to Cologne". "Yes, sir." "Do you know where it is ? " " Yes, sir, a little beyond Colchester." He and his horses were put into a steamer going to Dusseldorf, and when Dickson and I arrived, there he was. We could not get our horses disembarked for the first review, so we put our saddles on a wheelbarrow and went in our stable jackets to a place where the 94 REMINISCENCES OF horses were. I got a great big useful beast. The officer in charge could not quite make us out as our dress was so plain, and all the others were in full dress. '' Haben sie kein Epauletten ?'' he said. "^ Ja wohly wir sind noch nicht angezogen.'' From Dusseldorf we went to Cologne, and then to Bonn. The camp was at Eiskirchen, about twelve miles off. Thirty thousand men were under canvas. We had carriages provided to drive to the ground. Troop horses for those who required them. Dinner in the town hall on our return. There were about sixty English officers. The Duke of Cambridge, Lord de Ros, Charles Ibbetson, nth Hussars, R. Wood, loth Hussars, Rodolf de SaMs, 8th Hussars, Henry de Bathe, Guards, Sir Henry Bethune, Commander-in- Chief of the Persian Army, etc. Lots of Dutchmen, capital fellows. Some of the old ones had been quartered in England in the Brunswick Brigade ; no Frenchmen. When we left Bonn I gave Jim some money and told him to get home as soon as he could. When we got to London he was standing at the door of Limmer's Hotel. Dickson and I went on to Ehren- breitstein. We put up at Weisse Taube, and slept in the same room. Next morning I said, " Shall we go home to-day ? " ** Yes, the bugs have settled it." We started to sail down the Rhine and found on board Bill Duff, who was courting Mrs. , a widow : as soon as he got home he married her ; another widow, very pretty, whom Dickson took to COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 95 at once, and Miss , an old friend of mine when I was quartered at Dorchester. They all got married soon after, so we were a most cheery party. Bill Duff was a wonderful chap. He had been in the loth Hussars. He was very good-looking, tall, pale and thin, full of mischief of every sort, and although I knew him intimately, I never could make out when he was chaffing or when in earnest. He was most fastidious in his dress and refined in his manners. He knew every prize-fighter in London, and was first-rate with his fists. He also knew many thieves and could "patter flash," i.e., talk their lan- guage. I once went with him to " The Rookery " in St. Giles, where they assemble. The company was presided over by a lady who sold watercress. They drank gin punch out of a bucket, which they dipped into with their mugs. They sang songs, danced hornpipes, and when it was all over we were kept back behind the bar till they had all cleared off. If we had got into the crowd they would have cleaned us out. One night Bill dined with us at Hounslow and started to drive back to London. On the way he quarrelled with his companion and said he would walk. In the morning a greengrocer's tax-cart was seen, with a pair of patent-leather boots sticking out, and Bill Duff in the bottom of the cart. He was tried and convicted for injuring a police- man. The policeman, I believe, was knocked down and run over by a cab. Bill was not the culprit, but he would not split on his companion. He was in the 96 REMINISCENCES OF Queen's Bench Prison for, I think, two months. I often went to see him. He wrote the names of all his visitors on the window with a diamond, and for exercise he used to spar with Alex. Reid, the prize- fighter. October, 1842. — At Ipswich, in the autumn, we decided to have a pack of staghounds. All the fel- lows in the regiment entered into it cordially, and all the gentlemen in the country gave us permission — Sir William Middleton, Mr. Shawe of Kes- grave, Colonel Lloyd Anstruther of Hintlesham, etc. Hughes sent to Wales for his hounds — nine couple ; some of them the smooth Welsh sort, with sharp noses and rather light of bone. Lord Rosslyn was then Master of the Buck- hounds. He gave us a couple which were too slow for Her Majesty's pack. Mr. Nunn, Master of Essex and Suffolk, gave us a couple and a half — " Talis- man," "Wrangler" and "Faustus". We got two couple from Harry Villebois. The kennels were at Bramford Mill ; Mr. Ed- wards, the tenant, compounded for £6 rent for the season. Sam Ritcher was kennel huntsman. He had been with a pack of harriers — a good keen chap, wages eighteen shillings per week. I went to London and bought a hind from Her- ring ; called it " Salt- Fish ". Lord Rosslyn gave us another hind. Mr. Morgan, a farmer at Bramford, kept the deer for us, and he had a fallow buck called " Bob ". A carpenter named Forsdyke drove the deer cart. Huntsman, J. A. T. ; first whip, John COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON ^7 Madocks ; second whip, John Legrew, veterinary surgeon ; secretary, W. Ormesby Gore, now Lord Harlech. The subscription amounted to ;^ 139. We wore red coats and caps, and blue bird's-eye neck- cloths. We had some capital horses. I had " Prisoner," an awful hard puller ; could go fast and jump a house. I bought him from John Elmore the day the Prince of Wales was born, and gave ;^200 for him. "Cannibal," the bay horse, i6'3 hands — a very savage horse in the stable ; lots of action, I rode him as charger ; a wonderful timber jumper. One day I rode him down a furrow in a wheat-field. White worsted was put on sticks about four feet high across the field to scare the birds. He insisted on jumping every one of them in spite of all I could do. ' " John," the brown horse, a capital hunter — the first horse I bought in 1836 when I joined the 9th. I had him eleven years. Madocks had a capital grey horse named " Creole," that ran in many steeplechases, and a chestnut, " Sir William ". Later in the season Harry Villebois gave us a stag, " Sir Walter Scott ". He was very uncertain, sometimes would run, sometimes not. He was very savage, and could defend himself from the hounds. When turned out of the cart, if he saw two or three horsemen together, he went straight at them ; and it was very ridiculous seeing them gallop in all direc- tions to avoid him. We bought another capital stag from Villebois VOL. I. 7 98 REMINISCENCES OF for ;^i5, "The Sheriff". Unfortunately, one day after a run he ran into a farmyard. A farm man threw a rope round his neck and he fell down. I was close to him and cut the rope, but he was dead. A very little thing will kill them when blown. We had capital sport. The following letter ap- peared in the Ipswich paper : — " On Monday the meet was fixed for Debenham 'Cherry Tree,' and at eleven o'clock a fresh deer from Mr. Villebois was turned out in a meadow of Mr. N orris's. In twenty minutes the hounds were laid on, and one of the finest runs ever seen followed. From Debenham he crossed the road to Winston, from which after a momentary check the hounds ran for forty minutes at the top of their speed. It was indeed racing pace through the parishes of Crowfield, Petaugh, Gosbeck, and Helmingham up to Henley Church. During this severe run through a line of country more heavy and deep than any in the country, Captain Thomson (on ' Prisoner') took a decided lead, followed at a short distance by Mr. Madocks (on * Sir William '), their horses proving to be in first-rate condition. Captain Dickson, who had been riding in good style, suddenly disappeared, his horse having afterwards to be relieved from his little em- barrassment by being dragged by ropes from the species of grave in which he was buried. I also ob- served Mr. Colthorpe going well on a compact grey steed, and two or three red coats gleaming in the distance. A short check at Henley allowed many to come up, and at t|i§ * Take in the Pond ' at Aken- COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 99 ham most of the field arrived. The run was twelve miles from point to point ; time one hour and twenty minutes. The distance must have exceeded fifteen miles." 1843. — Ipswich. — Had a letter from Mr. Honey- wood, Marks Hall, Colchester, saying there was a deer in his woods and we might come to hunt it. 22nd April. — We sent horses and hounds on the night before to Colchester and went ourselves to the Dedham ball. After the ball got into a post-chaise and drove to Marks Hall, arriving at 6 a.m. Went and sat in the kitchen while we sent to rouse the squire. He soon appeared and gave us some break- fast, then out we went. Some few farmers had got notice and turned out, among others Mr. Fisher Hobbs, a good sportsman, a celebrated agriculturist, and famous for his breed of pigs. The hounds were not used to draw, and could not be induced to go into the cover, and as the leaves had begun to bud and there was a good deal of dew I was wet to the skin. After drawing in vain for a long time I was just beginning to give up hope, when round a corner, down a rack way, a great fine buck almost ran against me. I holloaed and got the hounds away close at him. I forget how long they ran, but more than an hour, and I got a view of him dead-beat. He ran into a ditch. I got there as soon as the hounds, got a pair of couples round his horns, and kept the hounds at bay. I had just done so when I heard a pack of hounds running hard. I gave some one hold of the deer, cut away with the 7* 100 REMINISCENCES OF hounds, and had got them into a barn and shut the door when the Essex Foxhounds appeared. There was no one very near them and off we went at the top of the hunt, and when they checked no one knew where we had come from. We then returned for our own hounds and started for home. It was market day in Colchester, and we stopped to refresh. A farmer, Mr. Cookes, came to me and said, " I hear you have caught my deer". I said, " I think he is mine now". We had a little argument on the sub- ject, and agreed to refer it to two gentlemen. I forget who they were, but they decided in my favour, so I sent a cart and got him home. At the end of the season we were relieved at Ipswich by the Scots Greys. They took over the hounds from us. Lord William Hill was huntsman. Unfortunately, he was galloping a horse in Bramford Park, when his horse swerved against a tree, struck his head and killed him. I went on leave in March to Leamington, where my mother and sisters were staying. Madocks went there also to his mother. 8th February. — Got out with North Warwick- shire, Mr. Hillyar's, at Dunchurch, and Mr. Drake's at Shuckborough. Also with the Warwickshire, Lord Willoughby de Broke, master ; Stevens, huntsman ; Morris, first whip. I saw " Nimrod " out hunting one day with them. Went with Lord Worsley, Madocks and Carring- ton Smith in a phaeton to meet Pytchley Hounds at Welton (my back very bad with rheumatism). COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON loi Smith, the huntsman, not out. Goddard hunting hounds ; not much good. Ran to Kelmarsh ; rode back to Daventry, twenty miles, and drove seventeen more back to Leamington. I St May, 1843. — Marched to Hounslow. Sir John Halkett of Pitfirrane was a Captain in the navy, and had a pack of staghounds near Ports- mouth. His son, Sir Arthur, sent me a copy of a letter from Charles Davis, huntsman to Her Majesty's Staghounds, to Captain Halkett on the subject of hounds breaking away to the deer cart : — " Ascot Heath, izth Deumber, 1839. " Sir,— " I am delighted to hear of your good sport, but am grieved at your information respecting the hounds breaking away. I always profess candour, and must therefore give my opinion thus : I really believe there is no cure for your grievance. It prob- ably might have been prevented, the method of which cannot be put on paper, as it consists of a thorough knowledge of the temper, disposition, etc., of each hound, to so great a degree as to know what each intends doing before they put their vice in prac- tice. And at such times speak not harshly, but kindly, and even your countenance must bear the impress o{ friendship. '* Correction I do not advocate, and it is equally wrong to say I never suffer the whip to be used ; but certainly never when you are taking them to the meet, for by causing one hound to cry the others 102 REMINISCENCES OF would be off * gadding o'er the plain *. I am sorry to hold out no encouragement, but it is only an opinion after all. Hounds are sagacious beyond belief of many, and man must use his own intellect and learning, too, to deceive them. Therefore you must not try deception with them, but treat them with the greatest confidence, and make them know you are beholden to them, no^ vice versd. For in- stance, yonder is a cluster of people ; they (the hounds) know the deer is gone from that spot. You must beg of them to go there quietly, not say you shall do so. "If you saw me trot up to the spot I must assure you it was an exception to my general way, for I creep as quiet and slow as possible. Yesterday I stood within five yards of where the deer left the cart. I never heard of any pack doing this but this one. Lord Derby's used to fly away in all direc- tions ; the Royal Hounds in the old time did so too. " We did not take our deer last night till past four o'clock — four hours' run, twenty miles from home. " I have a few pretty little hounds sent home from walk that will not get to our size. They could not, of course, hunt this season, but if you are anxious to have them please let me know, or some other gentleman may step in. " I shall at all times be pleased to give you any information worth having on the * Noble Science *. *' I am. Sir, " Your dutiful servant, " Charles Davis." COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 103 In 1844 I was on leave at Kilmany ; my mother then lived there. I joined again at Hounslow on 14th January. On 15th February Sam Dickson and I went down to Swindon and put up at the Goddard Arms to hunt with Lord Gifford, then Master of the V.W.H. I had four capital horses — "Prisoner," "Cannibal," "John" and "Discount," a very hard puller, which I bought from Elmore. He had be- longed to Sir Francis Grant. John Galley was then living at Burderop Park. He was a dear friend of mine, and a most amusing and delightful companion. We often stayed at Burderop. Sir John Ogilvy of Baldovan was staying at Charlton Park. He married Lady Jane Howard. Lord Andover was a great friend of mine. He kept a pack of beagles, and we fraternised over that. His father, old Lord Suffolk, was very kind to me. The first morning when I came down to breakfast an old gentleman, with his grey hair cropped very short, in a green coat and brass buttons, was sitting on the fender toasting a bit of bacon. The large hall in the house had not been finished, and there were amateur frescoes on the plaster of the walls. At dinner time the ladies went into the dining-room, and the men straggled in by chance. The butler was a great character, and had been there all his life. At dinner Lord Suffolk asked for some mustard. The butler looked over his shoulder and pointed at his plate, and said, "Ye got some". Sir Benjamin Hall kept his horses somewhere I04 REMINISCENCES OF . near, and often went to Charlton, and I used to go down in the train with him. Gifford was a capital sportsman and a real hunts- man, but rather short in his temper. Jack Grant was his first whip. He was afterwards in Fife when Lord Rosslyn was master. Gifford afterwards was Master of the H.H. in Hampshire. In March the Military Steeplechase took place at Northampton. I took "Cannibal" down and had a hunt with the Pytchley at Cottesbrooke. Hollyoak Goodrick was master ; Will Smith, huntsman ; Hugh Burns, from Duke of Buccleuch, first whip, and Tom Balls, second. Smith said Hugh was no use in that country, they lost him every day ; he was afterwards with Walker in Fife. Tom Balls was a very nice, clever man, afterwards huntsman to Baron Roth- schild's Staghounds. George Payne was to succeed as Master of Pytchley, and they had just bought Mr. Newman's hounds, which, I believe, were the beginning of the present pack. While I was quartered at Hampton Court I got six couples of beagles from the Rev. P. Honeywood in Essex — beauties ! Jim Parsons, a poulterer, who kept a public at Hampton Wick, used to get bagged hares, and there was one hare in the market garden over the bridge which we hunted about once a week. Towards the end of the season the proprietor warned me off, as the boys who ran with us broke the fences. That day I killed the hare, and ended the season. 17th April, 1844. — End of the season. The Queen's Staghounds went to Lyndhurst. Lord COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 105 Rosslyn was master and stayed with Mr. Compton. I went to the hotel. Algood lent me a chestnut horse. A grand, great stag came bounding over the palings, out of a plantation in view of the whole field, then ran over the moor about twelve miles, into some enclosures near the sea, and I thought my time had come, as there were some fences ; but the beast turned round, and ran all the way back to Lyndhurst. All the horses were tired ; I believe some of them died. The Queen's Hounds never went to hunt in the New Forest again, and the red- deer were all destroyed. On the 15th May we marched from Hampton Court to Exeter. My troop went to Trowbridge for a short time, and I got to Exeter on the ist July. January, 1845, at Exeter. Martin Howarth was master of the Devon Hounds ; Tom Clarke, his whipper-in, and Charles Pike, kennel boy. Howarth lived in the village of Powderham, and was factor to Lord Courtenay. Lady Mary Howarth was Lord Courtenay's cousin. She was afterwards Countess of Rothes. Howarth was keen enough, but not much of a huntsman. He would sit on the top of a hill and view-holloa, though his hounds were a mile away. lo6 REMINISCENCES OF CHAPTER VIII. EXETER AND IRELAND. When we marched from Hampton Court to Exeter I took the beagles in a dog-cart, with a fish-kettle slung on the axle to boil the feed in. I was very often at Pines. Stafford Northcote's father and grandfather were both very kind to me. He was not at home, being, I think, at that time private secretary to Mr. Gladstone, and I did not meet him again for nearly forty years, in 1871, when he was shooting at Sir Walter Carew's at Hac- combe, and I was staying at Torquay. John Quicke of Newton, who had been captain of the boats when I was at Eton, and the Rev. Staf- ford Northcote (uncle of my friend *' Tab "), were my keenest beaglers, and Nicholas Cornish, son of a farmer, afterwards huntsman of the Tynedale hounds, commenced his hunting career with my beagles. There was a cobbler called Gough who used to find hares for us. He would go out to look for them on his pony in the mornings, then put the pony up and follow us on foot, because he said the farmers would not like to see him riding after hounds. He had an old gun, which had something the matter with it, so he mended it with a bit of leather. It exploded, COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 107 and blew off some of his fingers. Billy Clark, who lived at Chudleigh, also had a pack of beagles, and we used to have joint hunts over Haldon Heath. Edward Sanders had a farm on Dartmoor named Brympts, where we stayed. William Fortescue took his harriers there, and I took my beagles. The rest of the party were Reid, Rev. Fitz-Taylor (brother of Lady Carew and Lady Willoughby de Broke), the Rev. Henry Fortescue and Logan Downes, one of the best horsemen I ever saw. Most of us slept in the same room. Tom French, an old sportsman, slept in what he called " the long feathers," the hay-loft. He caught trout for us before breakfast, and found hares during the day. We hunted every day, and one evening attended a wrestling match at Two Bridges, near Dartmoor Prison. After leaving Brympts, on returning to Exeter, I was driving tandem, and the wheeler tumbled down going down a hill. I was all alone. The first thing to do was to let the beagles out and then unharness the leader and get the wheeler set on his legs. After I had done that I saw something on the ground which looked like a black pancake, and found they had been rolling on my hunting-cap. I do not quite remember, but I think the shafts were broken, for I rode into the town of Ashburton on the leader, followed by the beagles. After a time the beagles did not get on fast enough to please me, so I sold them to a company of bank clerks at Liver- pool, and they became the Royal Rock Beagles. I 108 REMINISCENCES OF bought a pack of harriers, but I forget what became of them. Felton Hervey was generally my whipper-in. He joined the 13th about this time. He is the boy in the picture of the Buckhounds, by Grant, when Chesterfield was master. Sometimes we hunted with the Tiverton Hounds. John Beale was the huntsman ; he had no whipper-in. The hounds were taken to the meet in couples, for one day they had met a dead horse, and stopped and ate him up. John Beale was a real workman in a rough way. Once after hunting a fox a long time they ran into a gorse covert. Old John got off his horse and said, "Mr. Hole, do 'ee hold my horse till I pawk un up again ". He strode into the covert, blew his horn, and soon got the fox on foot again. Madocks, Hervey and I often went to Eggesford. The old squire, Newton Fellowes, was very kind to us. Lady Hester was deaf and dumb, but she was charming, and always understood everything that was going on. Two daughters were very nice — one was afterwards Mrs. Seymour Allan, and the other Mrs. Leeke. Young Newton afterwards became Lord Portsmouth. Jack and Mrs. Russell were there, and their son Bury, a boy with a red coat. Mr. Newton Fellowes invited John Madocks, Her- vey and me to Eggesford for the Chumleigh Hunt week. Captain Howarth was there with the Devon Hounds. Mr. Fellowes' hounds were very big, over- sized drafts from Milton Kennel. Roots was his huntsman, and Jack Dunn whipper-in and second COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 109 horseman, or rather pad groom to Mr. Fellowes. At breakfast there were always mutton pies to take out for lunch, and little napkins to wrap them in. Mr. Fellowes always gave Jack Dunn a bit of his pie. We met Russell's hounds and hunted a fox into a gorse at Ash Rayne. " Nettle," his terrier, spoke in covert, and Russell cheered them to her cry. A big fox went away at the top of the covert. I said, *' That is not the fox we brought here". " Never mind, he will do as well," said Russell, and away we went. This was , about twelve o'clock. We crossed a river, and on and on through twelve parishes. Russell was riding a big brown horse, and when he got to a fence, used to say, " Come up, old fellow — one more ". About five o'clock there were only Russell, Howarth, Madocks, Hervey and myself and one or two others with the hounds. My horse, ** John," was quite beat. I tied him to a gate-post, and sat on the gate listening to the cry of the hounds, about two fields off. Presently I heard a man, on top of a haystack, holloa, " Tally ho ! " I ran across the field and got to them, just as they killed the fox. Our horses walked quietly enough along the road, and we walked after them, and all returned to Egges- ford. That night, after dinner, the conversation turned on the merits of big and little hounds. I said, " Why not let them all run together some day ? " Mr. Fel- lowes approved of the suggestion, and said, " Mr. Russell, you shall hunt them, and my huntsman, no REMINISCENCES OF Roots, will assist you. The present company are invited to return here this day fortnight." Mr. Harris was also there. We all returned to Egges- ford for the experiment. In the morning there was sharpish frost and a little snow on the ground. I went with Russell to fetch his hounds, which were at a farmhouse near. I think Mr. Harris's servant was with the hounds. He had a terrier in his pocket, and I remember Russell saying to him, " Always cheer hounds to cry," and I never forgot it. When we got to Eggesford, Roots, with twenty- five couple of Mr. Fellowes' hounds, was waiting on the lawn. They were all dog-hounds, about twenty- five inches high. Russell had twenty-five couple, little bitches, mostly black-and-tan. It was a curious sight when the two packs met. The dogs stood on tiptoes with backs up, growling, and looked as big as Jackasses ; the little bitches ran round them, and under them, and played about, and it was a long time before they would settle. At last off we went, drew several coverts blank and found about two o'clock. The snow by that time had melted, and made a little moisture on the surface, but there was not much scent. The hounds ran very jealous of each other, and in the small fields looked like a field full of hounds, and you could see by the drooping of their sterns which were carrying the line. Now a big one was first, now a little one, and the best of both sizes cut out the work. At high banks the big dogs had the advantage, at hedges the little ones COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON in got through first. We hunted the fox about forty minutes and he beat us, and we all returned home well pleased with the performance of both lots. May, 1845. — Marched from Exeter to Liverpool and embarked for Ireland. Crossed over in The Duchess of Kent. I was very sick. The other squadrons joined us at Dublin. The Major was in command. When I came on parade the morning we were to march, one of the fellows whispered to me, " The Major is as mad as a hatter " (he had been a little queer the year before). He created awful confusion by making the men dismount and change horses in the street. After a good deal of delay we got them all mounted. I said, " All right now. Sir," and ordered the trumpeter to sound " Walk march ". My troop went to Naas. The headquarter troop with the Major and Lieutenant Madocks went to Cell-bridge. After my troop arrived at Naas I went back to report to Colonel Napier, the Adjutant- General. I told him what had happened, and that I had sent to the doctor at Cahir to come immediately. There happened to be a ball that; night in Dub- lin, 5th June, at Lord Charles Kerr's, so I remained for that, and started next day on the mail to overtake the troops. The up and down mail met at Mary- borough, and James Young, the surgeon, arrived there a few minutes before me. When I jumped off the coach, I met the Major's servant at the door as white as a sheet. He said, " Go up, he's cut him- self". I ran upstairs, and found him insensible in a bed full of blood, and Dr. Young with his finger on 112 REMINISCENCES OF the artery in his arm. He says, " Are you a doc- tor ? " I said, " No, but I daresay I can help you ". He then looked round and saw who I was. So I put my thumb on the bleeding artery and he began to make preparations for taking it up. Presently another doctor appeared, and they took up the ar- tery, and after a time he showed signs of life and began to recover. Eventually he got quite well, but of course left the regiment. I went on to Limerick, having marched five weeks and one day. The rest were at Cahir. Frank Fosbery was master of the Limerick Hounds. During the winter I went out hunting one day with John Brandling and Good- enough, R. H. A. We drove to covert with my horse in a dog-cart. On the way home the horse shut up. It was pitch dark, and we were sixteen miles from home. Presently we heard the footsteps of a horse, and a chap pulled up and said, "What's the matter?" I said, " Our horse has shut up ; will you lend us yours.-*" He said, "Who are you?" I said, "We are officers from the barracks in Limerick, and we have been out hunting ". Without saying a word he got off and began to take the saddle off his horse, and he said, " We'll get fun when we get him under the car ". We shifted the harness on to his horse and put the saddle on my horse. Goodenough rode my horse, and our benefactor insisted on driving himself. Off we started, and went on quite comfortably. When we got about six miles from Limerick he pulled up and said, " I live up here. Send my horse back to-morrow, and I'll take care of COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 113 yours to-night ". It was so dark we never saw his face, and I forget his name. Next morning I sent his horse back and sent him a sov., but he wouldn't take it. Shortly after I was sent to Cahir I began to hunt the 13th Staghounds. Lloyd, a subaltern, made the regiment a present of nine couple of foxhounds which he had at his place in Wales. A chap named Crow was quartered at Cahir with us. He had a horse that pulled too hard for him. I gave him £^0 for him, and christened him " Scarecrow ". I sold him to Sandy Stewart, Chamfleury, and tossed up whether he should give me ;^3o or ;^6o. He won the toss. Some time afterwards out hunting he got a fall and hurt his leg just below the knee. However he mounted again, and rode home eleven miles. A little while after- wards, while undressing, his stocking stuck on his heel. He gave it a jerk and broke the shin bone of his leg just below the knee ! He then was obliged to have it put in a splint, and had to lay up till it was mended. In the meantime he tossed up ;^6o or ;^I20 for his horse, and again won the toss! The horse was afterwards sold at Tattersall's for jC^oo. We had capital fun and hunted all the season. Colonel Laurenson and Harvey whipped-in to me — a solitary instance of having a Colonel as a whipper- in. This year was the commencement of the potato famine. The only duty we had was to escort the meal carts from Cahir to Clonmel. There was per- haps a n^ile and a half of carts with wretched ponies VOL. I. 8 114 REMINISCENCES OF and a mounted dragoon every 200 yards. It was fourteen miles, and these wretched ponies tired, and occasionally tumbled down and halted the whole line. If any cottages were near, the women used to run out, hold up their petticoats, stick a knife into the sack, get a petticoat full of meal and run away, and, of course, the men could do nothing. It took a whole day to go the distance. The meal was ground Indian corn. In the prison the prisoners were employed breaking stones. The inspector saw one breaking his like powder (Provost Powder). On asking the reason, he said, " Sure, it's to mix with the yellow meal ". 1846. — In spring we marched up to Newbridge, and took our hounds with us. The night we ar- rived we dined with an infantry mess, and as soon as it was daylight we saddled some horses, and started a chap named Featherstonehaugh with a napkinful of grilled bones and some spirits of wine to run a drag. He started from the back gate of the barracks, galloped about two miles through the mowing grass, which was about up to the horses' knees, and finished on the Curragh, over the white rails in front of the stand. I let the hounds out, and at first could not persuade them to run it ; but by shouting and cheering them got up a straggling line, and we arrived on the Curragh as the racehorses were going out to exercise, much to their astonishment. 1 5th June. — We marched into Dublin. My troop to Islandbridge Barracks. Sir Edward Blakeney was the General in command, and Colonel Clarke, COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 115 Scots Greys, commanding the cavalry brigade. The Scots Greys, the Queen's Bays, and, I think, the 4th Light Dragoons were quartered there at the same time. Lord Bessborough was Lord- Lieutenant in those days. We hunted with the Garrison Staghounds, Cap- tain Armit their master. Felton Harvey, my sub., succeeded him as master some years after. At that time there were no Meath Hounds, and no coverts in the Meath country. It was hunted by the Ward Union Staghounds. I hunted chiefly with the Kildare Foxhounds. The master was O'Connor Henchy ; Jack Glover, huntsman, who had formerly been with Walker in Fife, a slow man ; and Philip Tocock was whipper-in. One of the best fellows was the late Lord Mayo, who was murdered when Governor of India. Old Sir John Kennedy and Lord Clonmel and I were great friends. I went occasionally to the Kilkenny Hounds. Sir John Power was master ; Mike But- ler, huntsman ; and Stephen Goodall, whipper-in. He afterwards came as kennel huntsman to me in the Atherstone country. Sometimes with the Car- low and Island. Robert Watson was hunting them then, and is doing so still (1903), having hunted the hounds for fifty-seven years. One day with the Kildare, O'Connor Henchy put his horse at a big bank, but he made a mess of it, and he was falling off when my horse put his head Ijetween his leg and the saddle. I put my arm round his waist, and he roared like anything. " All right," 8* ii6 REMINISCENCES OF I said, "I've got ye," and I landed safely on the other side with him in front of me. I had a beautiful horse called " Dhfoleen," i6*2 hands, dark brown with a beautiful head, and carried his tail right up in the air. When I left the regi- ment I sold him to Captain Burrowes. The year after, I think it was, at Dundalk, he was called out to quell a riot, and then was under the orders of the civil magistrate. The other fellows were sitting at breakfast when they heard a great clatter in the street, and on looking out saw an old woman on her back and a basket of apples rolling about on the pavement, " Dhroleen " on his hind legs pawing the air above her. Major Knox rushed to the window and shouted out, " Good God, Mr. Burrowes, what are you after ? " Burrowes saluted, and looking out of the corner of his eye, said, " I have got my orders, sir". COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 117 CHAPTER IX. ATHERSTONE: FIRST TIME. While quartered in Royal Barracks, Dublin, I wenjt over to Leamington on the i8th March, 1847, ^o attend the Military Steeplechase. I heard that there was a vacancy in the Vale of White Horse, so I went down to Cirencester. The country was hunted by a committee, of which Mr. Raymond Cripps was a member. He lent me a white pony, and I saw a capital hunt. John Dinnicombe was huntsman, and Jim Stacey, a humpbacked man, first whip. As they were satisfied with present arrangements, I made no offer, and returned to Leamington next day. A few days after, while talking to some friends in the street at Leamington, Pat Gordon (afterwards Mr. Gordon Canning) said, " Peter Col vile is giving up the Ather- stone. Why don't you take them ? " After con- sidering a moment, I said, " By Jove ! I will ". I wrote to Peter Colvile, my old friend (his name is Charles). He replied he thought it would do, and asked me to come over to Atherstone. I tele- graphed to Dublin for a horse, and went out hunt- ing on him next day ; I then went over and stayed at Atherstone. A meeting took place soon after, and my offer ii8 REMINISCENCES OF was accepted to hunt the country three days a week on a subscription of £i,$oo. I sent in my papers and retired from the regiment, and cut off my mous- tache. I engaged Will Davies as kennel huntsman ; Stephen Shepherd, second whip ; Trueman Tuffs, second horseman. Sir R. Sutton took the Quorn the same year I took the Atherstone. On the 30th of April, 1847, the sale took place of the Quorn Hounds (Mr. Green of Rolleston's) at Billesdon, and we all went over from Atherstone on George Moore's coach. G. Moore bought a few couple of young hounds, which he gave to the Ather- stone, among them a red dog called " Firebrand ". After the sale we dined at the " Bell " at Leicester, and had a very jovial party. A few days after I went over to Melton. There was a match across country between Stirling Craw- furd and Jack Leslie (afterwards Sir John). Leslie's horse, " Charon," looked in the most beautiful con- dition, and on asking who trained him, I was told his own groom, John Whitehall, and that he was going to leave as Mr. Leslie was not going to hunt next year. I engaged Whitehall on the spot — one of the best grooms I ever saw — and he died in my service in the Pytchley country, 1865. I got a little house in the village at Witherley, and also engaged Colvile's housekeeper. Old Robert Thurlow, formerly huntsman to Mr. Applewaite, kept the Blue Lion Inn in the village close by, and had capital accommodation for any friends. At the beginning of the season my two subs.. COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 119 John Madocks and Felton Hervey, both retired from the service and came to live with me. The town of Atherstone and the village of Witherley were full of fox-hunters and my old brother officers — Archibald Little, 9th Lancers; Jack Dallas, nth Hussars; Sam Hobson, 17th Lancers; W. Wilson ("The Squire"), afterwards my successor as master; W. Owen, Royal Dragoons ; Sam Dickson, W. Gore (Lord Harlech) and General Laurenson, 13th Light Dragoons. The first hunt took place at five o'clock a.m., 4th September, at Sutton Ambion ; found lots of foxes ; ran till near one o'clock, and caught nothing. Thirty- five couple of hounds out (too many); much cut up with brambles. Sutton Ambion belonged to a fine old gentleman with one arm. On going there one day there was a field of wheat standing next the covert, and I hesi- tated about drawing the wood. He said, " Put in your dogs, sir, put in your dogs," and he set a lot of men to work and cut the field down while we were there. He was presented with a silver cup for his constant and liberal support in preserving foxes. Rugby country, 1 3th November. — Met at Church- over ; rode " Crusader " and ** Landseer " ; found at Coton Gorse ; had a good gallop and killed at the mill at Lutterworth in the Pytchley country. Lots of people out. Mr. W. Coke, who always rode in white fustian trousers and a red frock coat — a fine old gentleman, "Coke on the pony" in Saddle's song. Sir Richard Sutton came from Quorn. He 120 REMINISCENCES OF said to C. Newdegate, " I hear that you have got a young man here who can sit still and see the hounds hunt." I was trotting in front of him, turned " Cru- sader" on to the footpath and jumped a high rail into the field — " And not afraid to get after them," he added. When I had killed the fox he came and con- gratulated me, and said, " Good-bye ". On going to the next covert I was on " Landseer," trotting along the side of a brook, when the stupid beast turned round and jumped at it. It was a very wide place, so we plopped in, and I had to leave him there to be pulled out with ropes. I got on " Crusader " again, and finished the day. Jim Montgomery and Wolfe- Murray were out from Leamington. Jim lost his hat, and when asked where it was pointed over his shoulder, saying, "In yon spinney " — about two miles off. Atherstone, 1847. — I went to Birmingham with Lady Charlotte Chetwynd to a concert to hear Jenny Lind. I left Birmingham by an early train next morning. At the railway station I met a gentle- man who had sat on a chair all night, as there was not a bed to be got in the place. When we arrived at Wilnecote, where I had left my cart, which I bought from Peter Colvile (it had his name painted on it), he said he wanted to go to Merrivale, so I offered to give him a lift. When we got to Mr. Laking's at Hall End a foxhound puppy ran out and followed the cart. I turned round and whipped at it to make it go away. A man on the road kept point- ing forward and gesticulating, and I kept looking at COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 121 him as I did not understand what he wanted ; pre- sently I went crash into a coal cart, locked both the wheels and brought both concerns to a stand-still. My companion flew away, landed on his elbows and knees, and rather hurt himself. I flew straight ahead, and in my flight caught hold of my pony's collar, and held on till I got my feet on the ground. The pony was very quiet, so we backed the cart and got disconnected. I landed my friend at the gate at Merrivale, and in time for breakfast ; and he told Mr. Dugdale that Mr. Colvile had pitched him out of the dog-cart. He had noticed his name was painted on it. I afterwards learned that he was an eminent architect from London, who was building the house at Merrivale. I forget his name. Colvile bred some hounds by "Yarboro Rally- wood," the most famous foxhound at that time. One of them was " Ravisher ". The first time I saw him, as a puppy, he was walking about with a chicken in his mouth. He was walked by old Joe Dester at Bramcote. He turned out to be one of the best hounds I ever saw, and was the sire of many good ones. Will Davies was a very delicate man, and was very often laid up. He was a most respectable, good servant, and had a good knowledge of hunting. He had been in Shropshire, I think, with Mr. Smith Owen. Stephen Shepherd, second whip, was a capital chap ; quite young, long, thin and very light ; but he was not quite steady. He came from Mr. Morland, in old Berks country. 122 REMINISCENCES OF When Davies was laid up I got Robert Thurlow, who had been Mr. Applewaite's huntsman and kept the Blue Lion Inn ; but as he did not go to the kennel, and hardly knew the hounds, he was not much use. About this time Lord Southampton bought Lord Shannon's hounds, and brought them from Castle Martyr, co. Cork. Will Smith, the hunts- man, who formerly whipped-in to Walker, in Fife, came with them. I went over to Whittlebury and met Tom Lowndes there, who came to mediate between us ; and I bought about ten couple. Some of them were very good, especially a badger-pied dog called " Grampus," as crooked as a ram's horn, but he had a capital nose and never tired. The Atherstone were not a good pack of hounds. In Mr. Applewaite's time the officers quartered at Coventry, and hunting men from Leamington, used to talk of a minute with the " tart," which did not sound as if long runs were the rule. Among the old Atherstone pack were several which traced back to Mr. Wickstead's Hounds. "Carnage" ran on for eleven seasons. "Active" and " Abigail " were very good. " Active " was the dam of " Ravisher ". Mr. Colvile bought Mr. Tudway's Hounds. They were coarse and bull - headed, not much drive in them, and did not improve the pack. The condition was not very good ; my days were too long for them, and they used to tire before I did. On the 20th December, 1847, when we met at Stewards Hay, Mr. Martin (in the presence of Mr. COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 123 Cradock and George Moore) told me that on Sir R. Sutton's taking the Quorn country Lord Stamford and Colonel Wildman (his late guardian) had settled that the Ashby and Leicester Road was in future to be the boundary ; but that the Quorn were still to have the coverts south of the road, and we were to draw them from the ist November till the ist March, and that Mr. Wilson ought to have written to say so. I have since been considering whether the limits of a hunting country can be thus changed by the de- cision of a proprietor. My opinion is it can not. I asked Sir George Chetwynd to consult his brother committeemen, as, of course, it was in their hands, I having made my report officially. Sir Richard Sutton wrote from " QuoRNDON Hall, i8th February, 1848. "My Dear Sir,— " As Master of the Quorndon Hunt I con- sider it my positive duty to protest against your pack drawing the coverts belonging to Lord Stamford north of the Ashby and Leicester Road ; and to add that it is contrary to the agreement which was for- warded to me last spring from the committee assem- bled at Leicester, and on the good faith of which I undertook to hunt this country." I replied to Sir Richard : — " Some time ago when the Atherstone Hounds met at Stewards Hay I was informed by Mr. Martin and Mr. Cradock that Lord Stamford had at your 124 REMINISCENCES OF request withdrawn the permission to the Ather- stone Hounds of drawing his coverts on the north side of the Leicester and Ashby Road, but that they still might draw those on the south side. I made Lord Howe and the gentlemen of the Atherstone Hunt aware of what Mr. Martin had stated to me. Upon which Lord Howe wrote to Lord Stamford, and last week received a letter from him granting his permission to the Atherstone Hounds to draw his coverts on both sides of the xA.shby and Leicester Road on the same conditions as formerly." A meeting of the Atherstone Hunt Club was held at Witherley on 9th March, 1848, there being pre- sent : Lord Curzon, chairman ; J. A. Thomson, Esq. ; Hon. E. Russell, M.P. ; C. R. Colvile, Esq., M.P. ; Sir J. N. L. Chetwode, Bart. ; Sir W. Dixie, Bart. ; Sir Hanson Berney, Bart. ; Captain Inge ; George Moore, Esq. ; Hampden Clement, Esq. ; Richard Jee, Esq. ; G. Chetwynd, Esq. ; Kirkby Fenton, Esq. ; Charles Garnett, Esq. ; Henry Gar- nett, Esq. ; Captain Charles Inge ; John Floyer, Esq. Having taken into consideration the claim of the Master of the Quorn Hounds to the exclusive right of drawing the coverts, the property of the Earl of Stamford, north of the Ashby and Leicester Road, have agreed that it is their determination to maintain the rights of the Atherstone Hunt, as enjoyed by them for the last thirty years and upwards, and they instruct their committee to reply accordingly. (Carried unanimously.) COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 125 There was proposed by Sir J. N. L. Chetwode, Bart., and seconded by Captain Inge, that the thanks of the meeting be given to John Anstruther Thom- son, Esq., for the firm and gentlemanly manner in which he has acted in the matter relating to the dis- puted question between the Quorn and Atherstone Hunt. (Carried unanimously.) One evening I was dining at Quorn, and the con- versation turned on a purchase which Mr. Greaves, master of Cottesmore, had made of five couple of hounds of the Badsworth pack for ^500. Sir Richard said, " I should like to get five couple of good ones at the same price ". I said, " I can tell you where you can get a whole pack for the same money. The Fife Hounds are for sale, and the price ;^500." He sent Robinson, his kennel huntsman, down to Cupar next day ; he reported favourably, and Sir Richard bought them. Dick Raby came to Quorn with them about the end of the season, and Sir Richard took them out in the forest. They found directly ; there was a good scent, and they ran very hard. Sir Richard said, "Stop them! These Scotch devils will kill a bitch fox." Dick said, " Beg pardon, Sir Richard, it's a dog fox — I saw him over the ride". They ran forty minutes and killed him. The hounds must have thought they were again in Fife among the heather and stone walls. Sir Richard said to Colonel Lowther, " Those Fife Hounds are capital hunters". The Colonel replied, " You'll soon cure them of that ". At that time Atherstone was a charming country to live in. 126 REMINISCENCES OF Robert Fellowes was at Bitteswell, on the Rugby side, one of the best sportsmen and horsemen in England. He had been at Eton with me, a most knowledgeable man about foxes, and always had a fox in a very small cover. At Newnham Padox, Lord Denbigh, most kind and hospitable, and the country full of foxes. The young ladies rode well and very keen. At Coton, Honourable Butler, not a great sports- man, but most hospitable and good supporter. At Newbold Revel, Sir Grey Skipworth, a grand old gentleman. Unfortunately, when mounting one day, his horse jumped aside and he fell, and he would never get up again. His son, Sir Thomas, was a good sportsman, and had been in 3rd Dragoon Guards. At Arbury, Charlie Newdegate, the most gallant chap across country I ever saw, and a grand preserver of foxes. At Gopsall, old Lord Howe, the kindest and dearest of friends, always came out cub-hunting with Lady Adelaide (Lady Westmorland) and Lady Emily (Kingscote). They were then girls in the school- room ; they were capital riders ; keen as mustard, and used to watch the rides like cats watching mice. George (Lord Curzon) and Dick had been in Cole- ridge's house with me at Eton. Fred (the Admiral), Henry (a fine horseman), Ernest and Bill, Essex and Montague, all good sportsmen and capital horsemen. I think Lord Howe let them keep two horses each ; if they had more they had to arrange with Mr. COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 127 Savage, the farm bailiff. Gopsall was full of foxes and pheasants too. The Duchess of Beaufort and the Duchess of Abercorn also used to hunt. George Moore of Appleby was one of my greatest friends, and one of the best judges oi hounds. He had a lovely breed of pointers, and had a sale every year at Tattersall's. He used to get ;^50 apiece for them, and then invited all his friends to dine at Greenwich at the "dog dinner". The quality of his horses was not quite so good, and old Bill Potter, the dealer at Talbot Lane, used to say, " I don't know how Muster Moore can wriggle across country on they tits ". Dick Aiken of Hartshill, one of my dearest friends and the most useful man in the country, lived on his own property and had extensive stone pits. He looked after all the foxes during the summer, and never missed a day's cub-hunting. Hampden Clement, at Snarestone, was a great friend and a steady sportsman. Old John Moore, at the White House, Appleby, George's uncle, was a capital sportsman. Captain Inge, at Thorpe, was a real good friend to hunting. He was an autocrat, and loved every- thing his own way. All the hinges of the gates used to be oiled before hunting. He was never married, and would not allow a child in the parish. He was succeeded by his brother George, the parson, a most eccentric and charming old gentleman, and a real good sportsman. Whenever the hounds appeared at Thorpe baskets full of hot mutton pies appeared, 128 REMINISCENCES OF and every one that passed was presented with a pie. Charles, the youngest brother, was father of Willie Inge, late M.F. H. and owner of Thorpe.^ Lady de Clifford lived at Kirkby Mallory with her son, Edward Russell, and Katey (Mrs. Colville) and Mary (Mrs. Oakeley). Her husband, Mr. W. Russell, had been Master of the Warwickshire Hounds. Edward was an all-round sportsman — hunting, shooting, fishing — he was good at all of it ; and the two ladies are still the best and keenest fox- hunters to this day. 1 2th February, 1848. — Hounds met at Church- over. I came from Edinburgh by the night train to Rugby and got into the train to Atherstone, and met the up train to Rugby. Madocks and Hervey were in it. They shouted to me, "Come in here. We have got your clothes and you can dress in Rugby." I changed into their train, got to Blick's Hotel, had breakfast, and then went to dress. My servant was an Irishman named Brassel. I said, *' Have you got a flannel shirt ? " He fumbled in the bag, and said "No". I said, "You stupid idiot, you might as well have left my breeches behind ". He took his head out of the bag and said, " Bedad, I have ". I said, " Well, go and buy or borrow a pair". He came back with a new pair of drab kersey of the landlord's, with a linen lining and brass buttons on the knees. Luckily, Mr. Blick ^ Charles Inge was Colonel of the Staffordshire Militia, and quartered at Edinburgh Castle during the Crimean War. He married a daughter of Sir Adam Hay of King's Meadows. COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 129 was a very tall man, and they fitted fairly, but I burst them both across the knees before I got home. Last day of the season, 5th April. — Killed twenty-one and a half brace foxes, twelve brace to ground. At the end of my first season Will Davies left. He had very bad health. He took a small farm near Witherley, but did not live very long after. I engaged Stephen Goodall ; he was then first whip to Sir John Power with the Kilkenny Hounds. He had commenced in Fife in 1842 under Walker. He was a tall thin man, a first-rate horseman and good whip. He was afterwards with Mr. Lane Fox, and in the V.W.H. country. Season 1848-49. — Commenced on the 31st August at Weddington Wood. Tom Smart, the horse-dealer at Slough, sent me a message that he had a horse to suit me. Mr. Assheton Smith had bought him and returned him. He was a very nervous horse ; if you touched his side with your toe in mounting he would jump away. I went to Slough to see him. He was a great fine well- bred horse, and old Smart had sent him out with the Queen's Hounds the day before to make him quiet. He said, "He's hardly fit to show, but get on him and try if you can knock the wind out of him ". I got on at the stable-door, which was in a ploughed field, and galloped away. He could gallop well, and was a real good-winded horse, so I bought him for .^130. He could kick me off whenever he liked. I called him " Chloroform ". VOL. I. 9 130 REMINISCENCES OF One day hounds running across Gopsall Park I was riding "Chloroform". Old Matthew, the keeper, waved a stick as I passed him, when "Chloroform" shied and banged my knee up against a tree. I put arnica on it, and made it as big as two. I was laid up for several days and could not attend the hunt ball. Another day I had him out as second horse. Hounds were just running into their fox, and my first horse, " Landseer," was beginning to tire. Trueman was close by with "Chloroform". I vaulted on to his back and he kicked me over his head so far that I was only stopped by the reins which I held in my hand. I went plop on to my back, struggled on to my tired horse again, and two fields further on hounds ran into their fox. Another time we had killed a fox at Sheet Hedges. I got on him, took a lock of the mane in my left hand, and a hold of the saddle with my right hand. He got his head down, so that I could see nothing except the pommel of the saddle, and shied me off amongst the hounds. An- other time he hit a wattle fence with his knees, and threw me a little on to his neck, and he never stopped plunging until he got me down, and afterwards kicked Trueman off also. Little Gilmour bought him at my sale. 1848. — One day Lord Edwin Hill lost his hat, and asked Fenton of Caldecott if he knew where it was. (Fenton used a good deal of liberty with his H's.) He replied, " 'Eavens knows!" Hill rode up to Isaac Evans and asked him where it was. "Your hat! — I don't know where it is." Hill went COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 131 back to Fenton and said, " I've asked Isaac Evans, and he doesn't know where it is". " I didn't mean Isaac Evans ; I said 'Eavens on 'igh." When Col vile was master the Atherstone Hounds were to meet at Drayton Manor, and he dined there the night before. Sir Robert Peel (the great Sir R.) said, " I think you will find a fox to-morrow, Mr. Colvile, for I ordered Ballard (the keeper) to put a roook at his den ". Met at Highcrosson 31st March, 1849. Killed a fox in the morning and found again near Kirkby. Ran past Newbold, Lindridge, Osbaston, Barlstone, Nailstone and Ibstock, and stopped hounds at seven o'clock. Only Goodall and myself with hounds from Nailstone ; Townsend and Captain Rowley. The former was seen at Rugby, and the latter at Ather- stone in their red coats on Sunday morning. I didn't get home till ten o'clock. On Sunday afternoon I was told some one wanted to see me. On going to the garden gate I saw a little man dressed in leather trousers, a green tunic, and a Tyrolese hat with a feather in it. I looked at him for a little while, and he said, " Don't you know me, sir ? I'm little John that used to live with Captain Madocks." I said, " And what have you been doing?" "Please, sir, I've been 'unting a pack of 'ounds in 'Ungary, but all the noblemen and gentle- men 'ave been killed ; and they were very mad against me, so I 'ad to 'ang all the 'ounds and come away." He was a very respectable little chap, and had lived with Madocks when we were in the 13th. 9* 132 REMINISCENCES OF A little time after he got a place as valet with Mr. Cole, one of the Enniskillen family, and was with him many years. Very good sport after Christmas. Killed thirty- two brace, twelve to ground. There were no hounds in Fife in the season 1848-49. I thought it advisable to go and live at home and re-establish the Fife pack, and therefore sent in my resignation at Atherstone. My horses were sold at Tattersall's on the i6th June — a very good sale. I had been treated with the greatest kindness by every one in the Atherstone country. On the 4th July I invited many members of the hunt to dine with me at Grillion's Hotel. Mr. Wilson succeeded me as master. He had hunted with me and lived in Atherstone. He took a house in the village of Sheepy, engaged Goodall as huntsman and Trueman as first whip. Every- thing was turned out in first-rate style, second horses, luncheon cases, flasks, hammers, etc., but the season was not a successful one. COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 133 CHAPTER X. FIFE : 1849 AND 1850. The Fife Hounds having been sold to Sir R. Sutton, there were no hounds in Fife in 1848 and 1849. 4th July, 1849. — I bought the Donnington dog pack from Jack Storey and Sir Seymour Blane. They were a good, useful working pack, and cost ;!^200. I engaged Will Skene as kennel huntsman, who had whipped-in to Walker ; Charles Pike, from the Devon, as second whip ; and David Shepherd as feeder, who had been many years with Walker. I put the kennels in order at Charleton (my father had kept the hounds there in 1803). I bought the pavement in the old kennels at Cupar, which had been taken possession of by the railway, and took it to Charleton. I came home about the 8th July. On 7th August I bought two ponies — " Bellows," for £"] from Porter, the blacksmith at Dykeside, and " Gridiron," from Kitchen, the V.S. at Cupar. On loth October at Clatto Den, first day cub-hunting. George Moore and Archie Little rode " Bellows " and " Gridiron ". Loughborough (Francis) was out, also John Balfour and Lady Theodora Grosvenor. Hot, dry and little scent. Found a brace ; ran up to Teasses and back to Clatto and lost him. Found 134 REMINISCENCES OF in Collinton Hill and ran to ground at Skelpie. I got bogged at Clatto with " Jenny Lind ". Will got in a mess with his horse and lamed him badly. I was out eight times before I caught a fox. During the seven days we killed many hares and hunted a good many roe-deer. First regular day, ist November. Met at Lad- dedy ; ran one hour and ten minutes, and killed in the strip near the west gate of Mount Melville. On 13th November went to Blair Adam. Made a temporary kennel at Blair Adam Inn. Some of the horses were at the stables at the house and the rest at the inn. My uncle, Sir Charles, and Lady Adam and Mary were there, and I stayed with them. 24th November. — Rumbling Brig ; nineteen couple ; slight frost, fog and heavy rain ; snow on the hills ; capital scent ; found in the moss at Rumb- ling Brig. Ran all through Blairhill coverts, right up the hill, where the fog was so thick we couldn't see. Found the hounds in the glen at Castle Camp- bell. The fox jumped up in the middle of them on the rocks. I scrambled down to the waterfall on my feet and found " Wilful " almost drowned in the pool ; pulled her out, tried to jump across, landed all right, but the stone being slippery, tumbled in up to my chin. Luckily I caught hold of a stone, but I had great difficulty in getting out, as it was like a pot, and the current always drew my legs away. When at last I got out the hounds would try to jump after me, and I had to sit on the branch of a tree to guard it. The waterfall made such a row the men couldn't COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 135 hear my horn, and it was so cold I thought I should be frozen. At last Will Skene came to me. I stopped at a farm at Hillfoot and got the water out of my boots ; went on to Aldie Wood, found some roe-deer and ran like devils ; had great difficulty in stopping them. Wolfe-Murray, Peter Paterson, three John- stones of Alva, Dempster and Robertson of Tyrie were out. I remained at Blair Adam by myself after the Adams went away. They gave me the key of the cellar, and the old laundrymaid cooked for me. It was a very foggy season ; I could never see Benarty Hill in the morning. There was a tree about a hundred yards from the house, and if I could see it I knew it would do to hunt. Wyndham An- struther stayed with me most of the season and used to ride hirelings from Edinburgh, 3rd December. — Hounds slept at Balbirnie. Met at Auchmoor Bridge next day, and. went home to Charleton after hunting. John Balfour allowed me to send hounds and horses to Balbirnie whenever convenient. When I first took the Fife Hounds I told my factor, Mr. Balllngall, to ask my tenant, old Mr. Knox, if he would walk a puppy for me. He said, " Na, na, I'll no tak' a beagle ; gin a plate is brock in the hoose it's aye the beagle. I'll keep a staig till him, but I'll no tak' a beagle." Frost lasted from 8th January, 1850, till end of month. loth February. — Balbeggie. John Waite was riding my second horse. He stopped to pay the t$6 REMINISCENCES OF toll-gate at Windy Gates, and when he overtook us was as drunk as an owl. I made him get off and left him on the road. 3rd March. — Returned to Blair Adam till end of season. 5th March, 1850. — Met at Blair Adam ; very windy morning ; had a fox or two and lots of stags and could do nothing. Went to the Hill of Beath ; found directly ; got away close at him and ran into the strips ; turned to the east and crossed the Great North Road, then checked ; crossed the Beath Road and hunted him on to Lochgelly ; turned to the north and wended on it through a hollow wood ; crossed the Orr Water and over some gorsy hills. Here he had waited and we got a view ; went as hard as we could split over the grass fields to Loch- ore House and right over Benarty to Finity ; crossed the Leven and ran down the north bank to the east ; crossed again to south side about one hundred yards from Scotland Wells Bridge ; crossed again to the north opposite Balbedie and set his head for the hill. When opposite Auchmoor he turned towards the covert, but was headed by some men and turned again towards the hill. Here we had a long check, being obliged to go round by Auchmoor Bridge. •' Benefit " made a capital hit along the road, and we got the line at the Knock of Arnot and hunted it inch by inch up to a hollow wood at back of Strath- endry. Here six couple got on a fresh fox and went away up the Lomond. The body hung to the hunted fox, ran into the round wood behind Strathendry and COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 13; down the strip behind the house. Here while I was opening the gate he jumped up in view. " Edgar " met him in a gap in the wall and caught him at twenty-five minutes to six. '* Towney " Oswald, Young, Horsburgh and Cunningham were all that came to the end. The latter, on a hard pulling mare, got an awful fall at Lochore and stood on his head for a minute. Distance, point to point, about eleven miles ; the best run I have seen in Fife. 7th. — Milnathort. "Tyrant" cut his legs at Bal- muto, and died a few days after. He was a beautiful horse. The Duchess of Athol bought him for a carriage-horse, but he was a bad kicker, so sold him to George Condie in Perth. I bought him from him. He kicked so bad in the stable, that I engaged the man who looked after him. 22nd March. — Damhead. Drew Glenearn blank ; found a stag in Silly Whinny, and ran down to In- vermay before I could stop them. Found a brace of foxes and ran fast down the valley, past Dunning, and went to ground in a drain at Kelty Castle. George Moore was out, having come to stay with me at Blair Adam. He brought a horse with him, *' Rector," which had belonged to the Rev. Reginald Chandos Pole. He made me a present of him. He was scrambling over a rocky place muttering to him- self, " It is too rough a job, it is too rough a job ". The drain was half full of water and the fox was drowned. Lord Rollo, his brother " Hon. John," and Colonel Richardson came out on foot. They 13^ REMINISCENCES OF were just going to dinner and gave us some veal cut- lets ; horses got some gruel. We did not get back to Blair Adam till 10.30. Going through Kinross a cart drove up against " Woodman". The shaft hit him on the side and he died a few days afterwards. He was a real good little horse, and carried me capitally with the Garri- son Staghounds when quartered in Ireland. On ist April I took four couple of hounds into the Falkland Woods to hunt roe-deer. Mr. Balfour and party came with guns and killed nine in a very short time.^ About the end of the season George Moore asked me to return to Atherstone, and guaranteed me ;!{^2,200 per annum. This season Sir George Houston and Sir Hugh Campbell hunted Berwickshire. Ben Morgan, from Sir Richard Sutton, was their huntsman. They had got several of the Fife hounds from Sir Richard, and let me have some. One day two couple were left out on the Lomond ; one hound went to Balbirnie, where they slept the night before ; one to Charleton, and " Edgar " went twenty miles to Torry kennels. He had been both in Leicestershire and Berwick- shire since he left there. The country was full of roe-deer and hares. Hounds very unsteady and the men not much good. There were only four foxes in the east of Fife ; the best of them a lame dog-fox in Kinglassie Wood. He never ran 100 yards straight, and could run for a week — a rare fox to make young hounds work. I often hunted him. One day I got ^ I don't think there are nine roe-deer in Fife at this time (1902). COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 139 a view at him in the open at Airdrie, and ran into him before he could get home. The best farmer sportsmen were — Andrew Gul- lane of Drumfin ; he knew all about it and was a real sportsman. George Tod of Lochrin, a capital keen man. Robertson of Tyrie, on the hills behind Milna- thort, Dempster of Touchie, and Cunningham of Dallachy. Morgan at Saline Den was a capital fox preserver ; he did not ride, but said, " I am a keen sportsman — I aye tak the hill tap ". Will Skene came from Turriff — Lord Kintore's — a clean respectable man, but slow with hounds. He went to Atherstone with me, then returned to Fife, then to Forfarshire when Colonel Maule was master, and to East Lothian under Major Fletcher, and died there. Charles Pike came from Devonshire. He was a fair whip, but an ill-conditioned fellow. I sent him away in the middle of the season and put Dick Smith on as second whip. He had been riding my second horse. Pike afterwards became huntsman to Lord Hast- ings when Master of the Quorn Hounds, a place which he never was fit for. When he gave up, Colonel Barlow, who managed for Lord Hastings, asked me and Mr. Clowes to go to Quorn and look over the hounds. All the dog hounds* had kennel lameness except four couple. Colonel Lowther meeting Pike in Leicester one day said, "Well, Pike, what are you doing.'*" He answered, " I've got the sack. Marquis has taken 140 REMINISCENCES OF to drink. ' Hermit ' has won the Derby, and we are all going to hell together." Hunting days, 51 (first day, 8th October). Foxes killed, 15. Run to ground, 11. Blank days, 5. Stopped by frost, 8th January to ist February. Last day, 1 5th April. COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 141 CHAPTER XI. ATHERSTONE : SECOND TIME, 1850. I ATTENDED the hunt meeting at Atherstone on i8th April, and they were all very willing that I should return. But I said, "Where am I to live.^" Mr. Bracebridge touched me on the arm and went to the window. I followed him, and he said, " I will lend you my house". Atherstone Hall was a capital house, most convenient, and about a mile from the kennels. One side of the church was in the garden. He said, "They are repairing the church, and if you will give a donation towards the repairs I will lend you the house ". I willingly agreed, and gave a cheque for ;^ioo towards the repairs. Mr. and Mrs. Bracebridge were going abroad for the winter. When the Crimean War broke out they went out with Miss Nightingale and took care of her. Mr. Bracebridge was a most eccentric man. He used to ride about on a grey Arab horse, dressed in loose white trousers, a broad-brimmed straw hat and a red umbrella. He bought Mount Hymettus in Greece, famous for honey, and the honey was used in making blacking in England. He was very clever and well-informed. 142 REMINISCENCES OF Mrs. Bracebridge was a charming woman and great artist. Her portfolios of drawings of all the foreign towns where she had been were quite beau- tiful. "The Hall, "Atherstone, zSth February, 1850. " Dear Thomson, — "If you have time to ride over and sleep here we shall be happy to see you. " I wish to put the house affair in the simplest terms. " I shall be happy to lend you this house from ist of November till the ist of April. Probably a week longer would make no difference. You to agree to take our two housemaids — good servants, the upper one has been here many years. You to pay milk and potatoes — nothing else ; you to have whatever is in the garden ; and my gardener to keep up the grounds. You to have saddle-room and ten stalls, thirteen if you want them. My coachman lives at the lodge, and would with his boy take care of my four horses left out of writ. He can have a separate harness-room, and in no way interfere. He is a good, quiet man. I, of course, retain rick-yard and farm premises. You to have the small wine cellar, and another I can arrange for. You can use the ale there will be, and have the same quantity brewed, or you can buy. My butler remains in the town (he is married and settled there) in his own house. I should want access to my library and cellar for books and COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 143 wine occasionally, if we should not be able to go to Italy. " Yours truly, " C. Bracebridge. " P.S. — I to pay taxes and poor rates as if I lived here. My butler could brew for me here in October. " I can say nothing of next year. We should leave china, and perhaps you would bring the silver plate." My mother and sisters came and lived with me at Atherstone. The 13th Light Dragoons were quartered at Coventry, and Jenyns and Goad lived with me a great part of the season. Jenyns suffered much from asthma, and often sat up all night propped up with pillows, but he always came up to time in the morning. Goad was rather bald on the top of his head, and had his head shaved except a ring just about his ears, so he never could take his hunting cap off during the day. I took the hounds which I had in Fife, and the Atherstone Hounds were sold at Tattersall's, and I bought about half of them. George Moore also made me a present of twenty couple from Sir R. Sutton's, many of which were Fife hounds, which he had purchased two years previously when the Fife Hounds were given up and Mr. Whyte-Melville ceased to be master, and John Walker went as hunts- man to Sir Watkin Wynn. George Moore wrote : — 144 REMINISCENCES OF "Carlton Club, " B4 Albany, igth April, 1850. "I think the head groom might do very well with /^yo a year and his house. The second horseman should find his own clothes at seventeen shillings a week — no tight boots wanted. Lord Henry Ben- tinck's second horsemen found their own clothes, I am sure, from what I saw last week — no tops, black boots, greasy cords and coat — no sandwich cases and sherry bottles, shoe cases, hammers, hatchets, and the devil knows what. Should we raise upwards of ;i{^2,200 per annum, I think it should go to you. Of course all money subscribed to the Hounds directly or indirectly must be paid to the guarantees. If you come the hounds are to be sold at Tattersall's same day as Wilson's horses — 6th of June, I believe. I am to lot them for the other owners. I saw little Hervey and Dickson last night at Pratt's ; both very glad ; and I told Hervey to hunt instead of racing. Please drop me a line to Appleby as soon as you can. Colvile met Tom Arnold in the street, and when he told him there was a probability of your coming back he threw his hat up, to the no small amazement of the inhabitants of the metropolis. I return home to- morrow. " Enclosed I send you the guarantee in print. I have the original, and shall deposit it at the bank to- morrow on my way home. " The Warwickshire dispute is that they want Hampton Coppice, Chelmsley Wood, York Wood, etc. These, I believe, belong to them — no great COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 145 loss. They also want Packington, but that belongs to A. H." George Moore wrote again : — " Appleby Hall, t^th April, 1850. • " I have just returned from Birmingham, and I hoped to have met you there. I had a room all ready for you. I told all the people you were coming to hunt the country, and I shall guarantee you more money if you want it from prices, etc. But come and talk it over and you shall not com- plain, and I will make it agreeable. Thus writing, we cannot get on. ** I saw Madocks ; he was going home with Chet- wynd ; he did not sell a horse. The Warwickshire, the Pytchley and Joe Leedham want hounds. Joe Leedham says they have not got a good young one at Hoarcross. I must lot the hounds next week, so you must come before that. " You must come, and for five years." I engaged George Cross as kennel huntsman. His father was an Englishman, and farm-bailiff to Captain Barclay of Ury. Cross was educated for a veterinary surgeon, and at one time was an assistant to Professor Dick in Edinburgh. He had a stable at Monifief, and trained race-horses, but finding that didn't pay, and being devoted to hunting, he became whipper-in to Walker with the Fife Hounds. He then became huntsman to the Bedale Hounds under Mr. Mill bank. I think he remained there seven VOL. I. 10 146 REMINISCENCES OF seasons, and then came to me at Atherstone as kennel huntsman. He was a good kennel huntsman and scientific breeder of hounds. In the field he hunted a fox steadily. He was only a middling horseman — not very smart in appearance, and a good deal of ** James Pig " about him in his sayings and doings. He spoke Scotch. When engaging him I said, '* Well, Cross, what about wages ? " He says, " I dinna care muckle for wages, but gi'e me a bellyful o' hunting ! " His wages were ;^ioo a year, house, garden and clothes, and no perquisites. He was a capital servant, and an honest, respectable man, but he was unfortunate in his selection of a wife. She was a very handsome, well-educated woman, but addicted to drink, and didn't pay proper attention to him. On coming home from hunting and asking for some dinner, she would say, " There's some nice milk, bread and jelly for you ". I brought Will Skene as second whip, who had been with me in Fife, and Jim McBride as second horseman. He afterwards became huntsman to the Quom, and to Mr. Reginald Corbet in Cheshire, and died in his service. Atherstone Hunt Ball took place on the i8th December, 1850. Lady patronesses : The Countess Howe, Honourable Mrs. Colvile, Lady Hartopp, Lady Dixon, Mrs, Dugdale, Mrs. Wollaston, Mrs. Anstruther Thomson. We had a capital party at Atherstone Hall. Whyte-Melville and daughter, afterwards Mrs. Wolfe-Murray, Hugo Meynell, my COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 147 uncle, Sir Charles Adam, Willy and Mary Adam (afterwards Mrs. Antrobus), George Bagot, Mr. Sanderson and Miss Sanderson. It was a capital ball, but towards the finish the people at the end of the room began to sneeze, and by degrees every one began to sneeze in succession. I was standing near the door. Lord Howe came to me and said, " What can it be ? " and began to sneeze and could not finish the sentence. We sent away all the paraffin lamps, opened the windows, and it got a little better, but some people had to go home. No one could guess the cause, but some days after, the father of a boy confided to Sir George Chetwynd and myself that his son, after dressing at the Red Lion Inn, had put some cayenne pepper in his pocket and sprinkled it in the ball-room. On 30th December, 1850, I went to the Derby ball, where I met my future wife, Miss Hamilton Gray, and her mother. They had come from Rad- bourne with the Chandos Pole party. After the ball I went to stay at Radbourne, where Mr. Hamil- ton Gray was also staying. I St January, 1851. — Left Radbourne. Went by train to meet the hounds at Shuttington Bridge. 23rd March. — Went to Leicester on Sunday afternoon. William Clowes lent me a horse to ride over to Quorn to meet Lord Rosslyn and Percy Williams at Sir Richard Sutton's. 24th March. — Barron-in-the- Beans. Good run ; killed a fox in Grosby Village ; one hour forty-seven minutes. 10 * 148 REMINISCENCES OF 25th March. — Went by train to Chesterfield, and went to meet the Rufford Hounds at Hardwicke. Percy Williams mounted me. After hunting, drove to Derby from Mansfield; from Derby trained to Tam- worth, and stayed the night at Dr. Geldhart's at Netherseale. Dr. Geldhart was left some property when he was fifty. Till then he had never been out hunting, but thought he would like to do so. He went to Mr. Tattersall and requested him to provide him with two good horses that knew their business, as he knew nothing about it. He got two beautiful horses, and then went to Jackson's '* Hunting Grounds," and took lessons in jumping. At the beginning of the season he stayed at the hotel at Ash by-de-la-Z ouch, and hunted with the Ather- stone Hounds. He enjoyed it so much that he took Netherseale House, and hunted from there for several seasons. Wednesday, 26th March. — Cricket's Inn. Rode " Outlaw " all day ; got a fall ; had a bad sore throat, and it hurt me to blow the horn. 27th March. — At the end of this season I went to Lyndhurst for a sale of Mr. Drax's Hounds. In passing through London I went to look at the building of the great Exhibition. I had an awful bad pain in my chest all morning. On getting to Lyndhurst I went to stay with Lindsay Shedden, Master of the New Forest Hounds. While putting on my boots to go down to dinner my mouth got full of blood, and I knew what had happened — I had broken COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 149 a blood-vessel. I rang the bell, and lay down on the bed with my head on the edge of the dressing-table, and I never moved it for twenty-four hours. Mr. Shedden came up and sent for the doctor, who lived close by. He was a capital good chap. They kept giving me mouthfuls of iced water and lead pills, and after a time bleeding ceased. My throat was full of coagulated blood, so I roared like a horse. This continued for several days. The doctor's assistant was in the next room day and night. When he heard me cough he rushed in and found I had spit out the clot of blood, and there was no fresh return of the bleeding. I remained at Lyndhurst till the 22nd of April. I was awfully weak, but had no return of hemorrhage. I went up to London to see Drs. Watson and Cutler. They said I was to go abroad for the winter. During the summer I stayed some time with my uncle. Sir Frederick Adam, at Richmond Park. I also went to Bolsover, to Bodelwyddan, Sir John Williams' ; and to Newcastle, in Ireland, Mr. King-Harman's, brother-in-law to Mrs. Hamilton Gray, who was staying there with her daughter, and we all went to Ballinasloe Fair. Will Skene left at the end of the season, and while I was laid up at Lyndhurst Tom Clarke came to see me, as he wanted a situation as first whip. He was just leaving Mr. Villebois in the Craven country. I had known him for some years, as he was whipper-in to Captain Howarth, Master of the Devon Hounds. ISO REMINISCENCES OF I engaged Clarke, and he went down to Ather- stone and commenced his duties. A short time after- wards I received a letter from Mr. Head Best, who was on the committee of the Craven Hounds, saying that Mr. Villebois had died, and that Ben Foote, his old huntsman, had sent in his resignation. They had just engaged Will Mawe from the Cottesmore as first whip. They asked me to allow Clarke to return to their country as huntsman, as he knew the coun- try, and that Mawe would exchange places. I knew Mawe well from having hunted with the Cottesmore when he was in Mr. Greaves' service, and as he was a good man I agreed to the arrangement, as I thought it not right to stand in the way of any man getting a huntsman's place. Tom Clarke eventually became huntsman to Mr. Morrel, in the Berkshire country, and afterwards for many years to the Duke of Beaufort. Mr. Best wrote : — "The difficulty in which the Craven Hunt are placed in consequence of the death of our late excel- lent Master, Mr. Villebois, must plead my apology for the liberty I am taking in addressing you. " The case is briefly this : Our old huntsman has resigned his situation, and our first whip came to us only a few weeks since, consequently perfectly ignor- ant of both hounds and country. In the dilemma I have been asked to take the management. Now, could you, without putting yourself to any very great inconvenience, spare Clarke to us as huntsman, pro- COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 151 vided our whip, Mawe, would take his place with you? He came to us with a good five years' cha- racter as whip from Mr. Greaves of the Cottesmore Hounds. Of course, I need hardly say that I have not spoken a word to Mawe on the subject, nor have I seen or heard a word of Clarke since he left this country." I replied : — "It is very inconvenient indeed for me to part with Clarke, as he has just become acquainted with the hounds and country. But at the same time, I think it is hardly fair to prevent a man with a family from getting a better situation, and to spoil the sport of another country by keeping him, though by letting him go I am losing the assistance of a man I can ill spare, and thereby risking the sport of my own country. " I know Will Mawe, and if I had not engaged Clarke I would have taken him, and if he is willing to take my situation I will make no objection to Clarke going to you. Clarke's wages are ;^75 per annum, one suit of clothes, and no extras or perqui- sites of any sort. If Mawe is satisfied with that, well and good, but if he requires more I think you ought to make up the difference, and pay all his expenses, etc. " I have told Clarke that I received your letter, and he is anxious to have the situation, so if Mawe consents the sooner the change takes place the better. Mawe can take Clarke's house off his hands, but all 152 REMINISCENCES OF those arrangements can be made between them- selves. " I must have Mawe at work here before I part with Clarke, so as not to interrupt the work of my young hounds." In the beginning of November I went to Ather- stone for a few days to make arrangements. There was a hard frost and a fall of snow in the first week in November. Lord Curzon agreed to act as field-master in my absence abroad and to take charge of the hounds ; and Dick Aiken undertook to provide forage, etc. I went over to Gopsall to say "good-bye," and Lady Howe said, " Come back in your red coat ". Before going to Rome I was made a deputy- lieutenant, Admiral Wemyss being then Lord-lieu- tenant for the county of Fife. On the 6th November I started from London with my two sisters, Clementina and Jean, a French maid, an Irish valet, an Italian courier named Pe- trolini, and a big dog called "Major". When we got to Florence Petrolini came to me and said, " I find English cutch — mail cutch ". I bought the coach for forty "naps," hired four Vetturino horses, and posted all the way to Rome. The coach was very useful at Rome. We used to get four hirelings and drive to all the places in the neighbourhood. Martin de Winton-Corry (Spicey Bill) and his wife, and George Holland and his wife (she was sister of Lord Gifford) were gener- COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 153 ally our companions. " Spicey," though a little light man, was a capital coachman. Holland and his wife went with me to Naples. We got four beautiful black horses and drove all the way. We went to Amalfi, Paestum and other in- teresting places. When we started to go home we got Guiseppe Balducci and four horses, and drove to Marseilles. I then gave the coach to Petrolini and went home up the Rhone and by train. The next season "Spicey" again went abroad. He bought the coach from Petrolini, picked up four useful horses and drove all the way to Rome. My mother and sisters were also going there. Within a few miles of Rome their carriage broke down, and they were sitting by the side of the road when up drove " Spicey " with the old coach and took them into Rome. In the spring of 1852 a dinner took place in Tam- worth attended by Protectionist farmers. The mob assaulted them and pelted them, and Sir Robert Peel wrote a letter to the Times approving of their conduct. At the beginning of the season Mr. Dester warned Sir Robert off his land at Seckington, saying that he would allow no one to come there who encouraged the mob at Tamworth to ill-treat the farmers. Sir Robert replied, "If you were a gentleman I would horsewhip you ". Mr. Dester replied, " Two can play at that," and insisted on Sir Robert getting off his land. 154 REMINISCENCES OF The following advertisement appeared soon after : — " To be sold hy auction, by Messrs. Tatter sail 2X\A Son, at Hyde Park Corner, on Monday, 15th De- cember, 185 1, the entire stud of Sir Robert Peel, Bart., who is declining hunting with the Atherstone Hounds in consequence of the unsportsmanlike con- duct and political animosity even in the hunting- field of certain Protectionist farmers. They consist of seven superior hunters and two capital hacks." Mr. Dester to Sir R. Peel : — " Sir,— " I think it well to state directly to yourself in reference to what took place in the hunting-field on the 1 2th November, that my conduct on that occasion was not dictated by political feelings. I disavowed any such motive at the time, and have repeated the same thing on all occasions. I was influenced to act as I did by a strong persuasion that in your letter to your constituents at Tamworth you intended to apply most offensive expressions to all who attended the dinner on the 28th of May. Your language appeared to be directed against all there present without exception or limitation, Mr. Young being only the chief object of attack ; and in the absence of all explanation from yourself, you cannot be surprised that such was and is the uni- versal impression. Under this persuasion I still feel that the retaliation does not exceed the provocation. In order, however, to clear myself from even the COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 155 most remote suspicion of introducing political con- siderations into the hunting-field, I hereby beg leave to recall my act on that occasion, and I can only say on behalf of myself and brother farmers, that so far as simple politics are concerned, we are as glad to see you or any other Free Trader on our land as a Protectionist. " I am, Sir, " Your obedient servant, "William Dester. "Seckington, 6th December, 1851." I was truly glad that I was absent when this altercation took place. Had I been present I should have decided against Mr. Dester, for he was wrong to bring into the hunting-field any matter arising from a political dinner. I returned from Rome in May, 1852, and went to Bolsover, then to Cheltenham in June, where the Hamilton Grays were staying, and then to Avening to visit the Cholmeleys (she was Mrs. Hamilton Gray's sister). 1852. — On 25th August I was married at Bol- sover to Maria Agnes Robina, only daughter of the Rev. John Hamilton Gray of Carntyne, Lanark- shire, Rector of Bolsover and Scarcliffe, and Rural Dean of Chesterfield. Mrs. Hamilton Gray was sister to James Johnstone of Alva. We went to Edinburgh and home to Charleton next day, and re- mained there for the rest of the summer. We went to Atherstone at the end of September 156 REMINISCENCES OF and lived in a little house on " the Watling Street " in Witherley village, and commenced hunting on the 1st of October, 1852. Cross was huntsman ; Will Mawe, first whip ; Tom Parker, second whip. Season ended 4th April. On 4th June, 1853, my eldest son was born in Edinburgh, and christened John St. Clair. His godfathers were James Lord Rosslyn and John Madocks, 13th Light Dragoons. I got possession of Mancetter Manor House in the autumn of 1853. 1853. — We began on the 12th September at Gopsall ; Cross huntsman, Will Maude first, and Jim Maiden second whips. He was a son of old Joe Maiden, the Cheshire huntsman, who tumbled into the copper and injured his leg so badly that he had it amputated. For many years he was kennel huntsman in North Staffordshire, and rode with a wooden leg. One day hunting I was wet through, and when I got to Arbury, Charles Newdegate asked me if I would stay to dinner, and he would send for my clothes. So I had a cup of tea, went to bed and fell asleep. When I awoke I thought it was next morn- ing, and he was in my room dressed for dinner. He said, "All the people have come to dinner, but your clothes haven't come ". Among those present were Lord Cardigan, Lord Willoughby de Broke, Sir Theophilus Biddulph, etc. He said, "Couldn't you wear my clothes ? " I managed his shirt, waistcoat and coat well enough, but he always wore his trousers COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 157 very tight, and I couldn't get into them. His valet, a tall pompous man with a powdered head, said, "If you please, sir, Sir Theophilus Biddulph is a very tall gentleman, perhaps his trousers would fit you." I said, " I don't know Sir Theophilus Biddulph, but I shall be very glad to wear his trousers ". The valet went downstairs into the drawing-room where fifteen people were assembled for dinner. Mr. Newdegate was sitting by the fire talking to a lady. The servant went up to him and said, " Could I speak to you, if you please, sir ? " Newdegate took no notice, on which he repeated it. " Well, George, what is it ? Out with it ! " He stood to attention, and said in a loud voice, "If you please, sir. Captain Thomson says if he had Sir Theophilus Biddulph's trousers he could come down to dinner," which was received by the assembled company with much mirth. The trousers were brought to me, and I got into them, but Theophilus being very stout, they were rather large round the waist. With the help of a packing needle and some twine we took up some reefs behind, and I was going down to dinner, when, luckily, I met my own servant on the stairs with my own garments. I quickly changed and ran down. They were all prepared to greet me with jeers, but they found me properly clothed and in my right mind. In 1854 I thought that a change might be desir- able, and I had always a fancy for the Vale of White Horse. 1 8th February. — Harry Villebois having decided 158 REMINISCENCES OF to give up V.W.H., I went down to Cirencester. He was very anxious that I should succeed him, and offered to lend me his house and subscribe ;^ioo. Raymond Barker was very kind, and did much to smooth the way for me. Henley Greaves was also there, who was nibbling for the country, but they were not keen on him. It ended by Lord Gifford again taking the country. I got all the information I could and considered all the pros and cons. Before going to bed I wrote two letters, one consenting, the other declining ; next morning I sent the one declining, as I thought it was wiser to remain at Atherstone, and went out hunting. " Twit " Lyon and Greatorex (" The Badger ") were staying with Villebois. Lord Portsmouth bought Villebois' Hounds. Mor- ris was hunting the hounds and old Joe Thomson whipping-in. I think Kit Atkinson was Villebois' huntsman, and that he died in his service. At a meeting of the Atherstone Hunt on 13th February, 1855, Charles N. Newdegate, Chairman, I stated my intention to give up the management of the Atherstone Hounds at the end of the season. The meeting expressed " their sincere regret that Mr. Thomson is no longer to hunt the country, and beg to convey to him their best thanks for the sports- manlike and highly satisfactory manner in which he has hunted the country for seven seasons ", At a meeting on 29th March, 1855, Lord Curzon, Chairman, the following letter was received from Mr. Selby Lowndes : — COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 159 " I will undertake to hunt the Atherstone country four days a week and pay the rent of the kennels and leave them in the same repair in which I find them. " I will do so from year to year without a guaran- tee, trusting to the liberality of the subscribers, and would spare no trouble to give satisfaction. " I remain, gentlemen, " Your obedient servant, •'A. Selby Lowndes." Mr. Lowndes' offer was accepted, and Sir Hanson Berney was requested to continue his valuable ser- vices as Hon. Secretary. i6o REMINISCENCES OF CHAPTER XII. THE CRIMEA. 1854. — The 13th Light Dragoons were quartered at Coventry when the order came that they were to proceed to the Crimea. I went the first day's march with them to Rugby, and said " Good-bye " to them there. *• My Dear Jack,— " I write these few lines to say that we left Hounslow to-day and arrive at Chichester on Mon- day, and expect to embark on Thursday or Friday. " I hope you may be able to run down to see us off, as I should so much like to see you before leav- ing ; but if you can't manage this, I suppose I must now say good-bye, and with best remembrances to Mrs. Thomson, " Believe me, dear Jack, " Yours affectionately, " P. H. Goad. " P.S. — The cart ^ is left at 10 Chester Street. I suppose you got Jos* letter, and hope you approve of the distribution of the money. The Major, Jos, King, Smith, my brother, and Chamberlayne are with this squadron." ^ I bought his dogcart. COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON i6i •' Negociator, 8th May, 12 p.m., 1854. *' Dear Jack, — " I was ordered suddenly off, and embarked to-day, only knowing it on Saturday night. " I did not write to you, as being no post on Sunday it would have been no use. I go in the Negociator (No. 59) — a capital ship. I have a capi- tal cabin as CO. " The nags came on board very well, and things have quite settled down now. We sail at seven in the morning. We are now alongside the docks, and Oldham's troop in the Mary Anne. " We embarked in such a pouring rain, which was a great bore. " I got your present, which cost £2 5s. — a very good paint-box. " The dockyard police have just come to say we must put out the lights, so good-bye, my dear Jack, and with kindest regards to Mrs. Thomson, " Yours ever sincerely, "SoAME G. Jenyns. " Write me a line directed ' Malta,' as we touch there. Good-bye." " Ship Calliope, ^vd June, 1854. " My Dear Jack, — " I think you will be glad to hear how we have got on up to this time, so, as we expect to be in Malta by about twelve o'clock, I write these few lines to tell you of our voyage up to this time. We have on the whole had a very pleasant one, and I VOL. I. II i62 REMINISCENCES OF am happy to say that the horror, sea sickness, has not fallen very heavily on any of us, though of course there were times when we did not feel very much inclined to smoke — a sure sign of not being quite right. My brother, Billy Hutchinson and Greatorex saw us fairly off — in fact, did not leave until the pilot returned on the Friday morning. " After getting out of the Channel we made a good run to the Straits of Gibraltar, and the first few days being calm, we all got into our sea-work very fairly. We got on fairly until the 30th, when we were off ; but ever since the wind has been dead ahead, and Heaven only knows when we should have got to Malta (being this morning twenty miles from Goys), when to our delight a steamer appeared and took us in tow at 5.30, and we are now proceed- ingf at about seven knots an hour towards Malta. Oh, I have begun this sheet of paper all wrong. " The ship is a good roomy one, but not a clipper by any means. The Captain, Eagles by name, is a very nice fellow, and we all get on very well. We have on board besides my brother a Scotch assistant- surgeon (Cowan), very canny, and an Irish vet. vice Seymour (Power), quite a wild Pat, without a stitch of uniform or comforts of any sort, and with a monstrous brogue and an unbounded confidence in his own abilities at whist playing — in which game he is singularly deficient in anything but luck. " The men and horses have all been well, and except a few big legs (' Sphinx ' among them from a kick) there is nothing niugh the matter. COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 163 " * Freny ' and ' Chartist ' make wild dashes at every one going by, but as they are both muzzled, do no harm, and are only the occasion of a little extra bad language from any person against whom they may have made an ineffectual assault. We have lots of good plain grub — in fact, it is going nearly all day, and we are getting very much rounder in appearance. " We play at singlestick, boxing, and all sorts of games in the evening. The men sing, and as I need scarcely add that I am constantly tootling both solos and duets with my trumpeter Davis, I may safely say that we are musical. We were wishing a little to have been at Epsom on Wednesday and Friday, but when you write mind and give me full particulars of everything that has been going on since I left England. " Of course we are very anxious to get to Malta to hear the news, get our letters, etc., and learn where we are to go to, though I fancy the orders will be to proceed to Constantinople and get further orders there. However I will keep this open until the last, so that I may be able to give you the latest news. " Pray remember me kindly to Mrs. Thomson, J. E. M., Chetwynd, or any other of my friends whom you may meet, and believe me, ever dear Jack, " Your very affectionate friend, "T. H. Goad. " P.S. — Brassel has been getting on very well, and is really a useful man. He left a coat of yours at Half Moon Street. Write to me at Constantinople," u * i64 REMINISCENCES OF " Devna Camp, igth July 1854. " Dear Jack, — " I am a horrid beast for not writing to you before, but it really is such a bore writing here, what with the heat, flies and no table. I got out to Varna on the 15th, and disembarked on the i6th in such a storm. I was very lucky in not losing a horse and landing them all fit to go, and I had a very fair ship, only too small for the purpose, being the smallest out (570 tons). I enjoyed the passage very much, par- ticularly the Mediterranean and the Bosphorus, Greek Islands, etc., which are beautiful. I made several sketches, but could get no paint blue enough for the sea. They fed us pretty well on board, and I was not sick. We touched at Malta, Gallipoli, Scutari and Varna. Tremayne's ship was towed with me from Malta, and we got to Varna three days before Oldham, who was beat. We stayed at Varna three days, and then our squadron, ' Jos' and I, was sent on to Devna, about fifteen miles north. The 17th and 8th, with Lord Cardigan, were here. We got a deal of kudos about our nags, all others having so many sick and dead. Tremayne only lost one. When we had been here five days our squadron and one of the 8th started under Lord C. for a patrol, as sudden orders came from Lord Raglan to go and find out where the Russians were, as they had left Silistria and not recrossed the Danube, so it was supposed they were near Bassora or on the road to Varna. We were out sixteen days, and have only been back a week, and we found the 1 1 th and the rest of our COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 165 ship's crew here, as also the Infantry Light Brigade. We had a most interesting patrol, but precious hard work. We started by Bagadish and on next day north, but had to return from want of water. The whole country is deserted, not a soul to be seen, and the villages burned down and battered — such a deso- late scene. We had only salt beef and biscuits and what we had on. No tents, of course, which in this hot weather on plains is no joke. There is hardly a tree between Bagadish and Bassora, and very little water. We went by long marches to Bassora, where we first saw an enemy in the shape of the Cossacks on the other bank of the Danube looking at us. We bivouacked close to the bank under the old camp of the Russians, which was a curious sight. We then went to Silistria, and when about five miles from it saw the whole camp of the Russians on the other side in such a jolly country, all grass and a lovely view. We stayed all day at Silistria, and it was such a rum sight, the town riddled with shot and shell, and up at Arab Tabia just as it was when they left six days before. The Russian battery being within thirty feet of the Turkish one, the Turks must have fought like demons. We saw 40,000 or 50,000 men encamped about two miles the other side of the Danube entrenched. They don't look like cutting at all, although according to English papers they were said to be in full retreat. There they were, and are now I believe. They had a battery just opposite us on the other bank, about 700 yards across, so we had a good look at them. They had a i66 REMINISCENCES OF large park of artillery, but not many cavalry. We returned by Shamba. The country about there is splendid. I got ophthalmia from the sun, and have been sick ever since, but am off to-day. All the horses get bad eyes, and have suffered a good deal — four dead on the road, mostly from fever in the feet and the absurd weight we have to carry, convey- ing besides blanket, etc., etc., two and three days' barley and provisions ! They don't give the horses half grub enough. We got tremendous praise from Lord Cardigan, who is a capital fellow to be under at this work. Of course it was exciting up at Silistria, as we expected every day to see a Cossack outpost. We expect to go to the Crimea or . . ., but we know nothing. The Times is our chief authority, though quite wrong about the Russian entire retreat. The regiment has only lost three nags coming out ; my own are pretty well. The native horses are clippers, about the size and cut of your grey pony of Cross's. All ponies, but good ones. The soldiers look such oddities — all rags and filth. There are no French here. The flies and heat very annoying. We have regular camp here ; races, etc. There is no shooting at present, but it will be good. There is a great deal of bad diarrhoea among the men and officers. Pray remember me most kindly to Mrs. Thomson and Dick Alkin and all friends at Ather- stone. How are the dogs ? We must have some out here in the winter. We have capital dog hunts with poles on ponies. Wallachia looks such a hunt- ing country to look at, and the finest woodlands about COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 167 Shamba. Tell George Moore. Good-bye, Jack ; I hope we shall have a fight soon. ** We had no end of false alarms on our patrol, on which occasions we were very pugnacious. It strikes me you will have to pay for this letter. I have no foreign paper, and my eyes are too weak to write close. Pray write soon. " SoAME G. Jenyns." " Balaklava, i8th November, 1854. •* My Dear Jack, — " I intended writing you a line long ago, but really we have had so much to do, and when we have had a spare moment too glad to sleep, that I have, I am afraid, been very idle. I am now on board ship in Balaklava harbour, as my old enemy, diarrhoea, has come on again from the wet and cold, and I have been ordered a few days' rest and com- fort. You will have seen, alas, in the papers our sad loss. Poor dear old Goad never can be replaced. It is a terrible blow to me and all, and I am sure all old 13th will feel the same. However, I hope you all need not feel ashamed of the old corps. We were ordered to do a thing that no cavalry unsupported could do. However, we did what we could, and had the satisfaction of sending all the Russe cavalry cutting like a flock of sheep, till we were all nearly bowled over by the guns, as you may imagine when we had only 1 10 horses on parade that morning, and had eighty-six killed and ten wounded, and every officer's horse killed except Percy Smith's. The 17th and 13th went in first line, so caught it worst, 168 REMINISCENCES OF having a mile gallop up to the guns along a valley with high hills on each side, and six guns in position, besides bodies of infantry on each hill and nine guns in front, which we cleared, standing in the open with not a man near them, but could not walk them off as we had (the wretched remnant) to fight our way back through a fresh regiment of lancers. Never was such a mad order given. Nolan is the man to blame. The last I saw of poor Goad was just going into the guns, on my left He was killed dead, as the Russians sent back a bill of exchange found on his body. Poor old ' Moses ' carried me through like a man and just got me back. He was shot through the shoulders, going right through him, and in the hip joint, besides two grape-shot going into my cloak in front and coming out at the top. A bit of a shell also carried away the end of my cloak, catching me in the knee — however, nothing to signify — so I had a narrow shave. Percy Smith got a prod in the side from a lance, but not deep. I tell you these little particulars which may interest you, as I have not seen the papers. You will be glad to hear I have a good chance of a brevet majority, as Lord W. Paulett told me Lord Lucan had mentioned me in his despatches, and ' if they were liberal, I should get it '. We had nothing to do at Inkerman, all bushes and ravines, although they advanced us as targets. However, all the shot and shell just went over our heads. That was a most bloody business, and you never saw such a scene as the field was — the Russian bodies were so thick for half a mile that COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 169 I could not ride in places. We picked up 4,180 dead. We shall have tough work to get into this place, as we have an army all round us. We had the most awful storm on the T4th, ten ships went down outside the harbour, seven at Chersonese, five at Kictcha, besides we hear all at Eupatoria. You never saw such a scene, tents flying — a sheet of snow and rain — blankets, shoes, busbies and bear- skins flying, you could not stand against it at all. The nags are all dying from cold and starvation. You never saw such an appearance as we cut, thirty-two file is all we can turn out ! and these like nags sent to hounds to eat, really no better. The heavies' charge was a pretty sight, right in the middle of a plain, only Lord Lucan never gave them a chance — let them receive the charge instead of giving it. However, they threshed the Russe well, although at least six to one. Their artillery is very good indeed — I think as good as ours — and their infantry as obstinate as pigs when drunk, which they always are when fighting. Poor Wynne ! ^ is not it a sad loss } I saw him the night before in such spirits ; his head was taken right off by a round shot. How do the dogs get on ? Pray write me a good hunting letter, all particulars, horses, hounds, and all. They batter away all day and night at the town, but they have given them so much time that the south side is the strongest now. Lord Raglan gave us tremendous butter in a general ' order,' which, as you will feel an ^ Heneage Wynne, Captain 68th Regiment, Aide-de-Camp to Sir George Cathcart. i;o REMINISCENCES OF interest in us all, I will copy. He begins by head- ing ' The brilliant conduct of the Cavalry Division '. He then congratulates Brigadier-General Scarlett and officers and men of the Heavy Brigade on their successful charge and repulse of the Russian cavalry in far greater numbers, and while he condoles with Major-General Earl of Cardigan, officers and men of the Light Brigade on the severe loss they sustained, he feels it due to place on record the gallantry they dis- played, and the coolness and perseverance with which they executed one of the most arduous attacks ever witnessed, and under the heaviest fire, before power- ful bodies of cavalry, artillery and infantry. There is a report that the cavalry go to Scutari for the winter to recruit, but I don't think we shall. If we don't we shall be literally dismounted. We are very hard up for clothes, having nothing but the contents of our valises. We get pretty fair rations, and an odd ham, etc., from the ships. I must now stop, so good-bye. My kindest regards to Mrs. Thomson, Waite, Dick Alkin, and, in fact, kind regards to all near Atherstone, not forgetting Cross, ' Daphne ' and ' Dahlia '} " Yours, ever sincerely, " SoAME G. Jenyns." " Balaklava, 522nd January, 1869. " My Dear Captain Thomson, — " Pray forgive that only now I thank you for the kindness you had in writing to Mrs. Boehm about the statuette, which is now in my studio at Osborne and having been en face Her Majesty, during a long sitting she gave me to-day, formed the chief point of our conversation. From head to knee- cap, from brow to toe, every detail was examined and bespoken ; and you may be sure that I did not spare to speak of my kind mentor in the noble sport (though I do him little honour in that line) with all the enthusiasm I feel for you. You have no idea what use that statuette has already been to me. I soon expect your exemplar, which I wish I had had instead this one, which is a second, though good, cast only of the original bronze of yours, that I believe will in a few weeks be back again with proper colour and accoutrements. But now if you are ever so tired from ever so fine a run, you must hear my rambles across country from Deene to London, where I had only a few hours cheque (check), and on again at the rate of fifty miles an hour to Osborne. I have to thank you the preliminary introduction or proposal of an equestrian statuette, of the most charming of all COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 363 hostesses — Lady Cardigan. There I did a bust of her, intended for reproduction on the monument, by the side of the late Earl, to be executed to both in her life-time. The bust having been approved of is to be done as a bust in marble, besides the monument and also the equestrian statuette on Sultan. I had scarcely finished when kind Lady Clifden's letter came, and the order soon after that I was to be off to Osborne. Yesterday the Queen shewed me the horses she wished to have done — one thoroughbred chestnut, full of character and some beauty, with the name of Andrew (instead Methusalem), with the Princess Louise on, who has a splendid seat and a beautiful figure. Another favourite cob which Her Majesty rides, with an attendant in Scotch costume, a nice peculiar shape, lean and sleek cob, and a charming head, also a good subject. And thirdly, the most important of all, the Queen herself, sitting and spinning with a favourite collie at her side. I cannot tell you how kind, how amiable she is, and with what interest she inquired about all my works, etc. She has the sweetest, purest expression and smile when she speaks, and is so natural and cour- teous. Oh, it is such a difference to the house of Austria, who might take many a good lesson of the behaviour necessary if they wish to endear themselves to their subjects. England for ever. I need not tell you how I shall try to deserve all my good luck — such I may call it. If I lose one kind patron who leaves as a viceroy, I find one other in a queen. Please forgive all this egotistical account, but I know 364 REMINISCENCES OF you take an interest ; and I am so glad to have an opportunity to do the best I can in these new works, and I hope I may succeed, as my best will be but poor. I hope Mrs. Thomson and family are well, though the last accounts I heard were not so favour- able of Mrs. Thomson's state of health. Please to give her my best compliments, and to remember me also to J. Pye. I hope you will find some day some nice cheap horse for me — I long for one. " Ever sincerely and obligingly yours, " J. E. BOEHM." Boehm made a beautiful statue of the Queen, life-size, sitting with a spinning-wheel and a collie dog lying by her side. He very often came down to Brix worth, and used to ride an old horse of mine called " Rocket," but he did not like my plain flapped saddles, so I got one with plenty of stuffing in front of the knees. He said, " The saddle was charming, and Rocket was charming". He jumped a small brook, a branch hit him on the face, and knocked his hat off into the brook. He picked it up and put it on: "Trickle, trickle, and I said to myself, here comes bluid, but it was water ". Boehm's father was the manager of the mint in Austria, and his principal occupation as a boy was drawing designs of the emperor for the dies for coins. He first went to Paris, but he did not like the French style of equestrian statues — they were too ideal, and he wanted something more real ; so he came to England, and commenced with statuettes, COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 365 but his great ambition was to get great works. His statues of horses were wonderfully true and life-like ; and among his statues of men, Carlyle was one of the best. He was very industrious, and never lost a chance. If a horse tumbled down in the street, he would sketch it in his pocket-book. My eldest boy stayed with him some time in London, and he made a beautiful bust of him (while an Eton boy). He was a most agreeable, charming companion, and the kindest and best of friends. He made me a present of my statuette, and afterwards his charge for them was 300 guineas. His studio was a constant source of pleasure to me when I was in London ; and he allowed my daughter to go there when she liked to model or draw. " 13 Summer Place, "Onslow Square, ist December. " Dear Colonel Thomson, — " I heard a few days ago that the new series of bronze casts of your statuette, the Duke of Beaufort, etc. etc., will arrive here from Germany the end of this month, and as soon as I have it I shall send your bronze to Brixworth. I am very sorry for the long delay, but under five or six months I cannot get any order executed there, and as I cannot get it anywhere done like that, I must submit to it. I have just made arrangements with a jeweller, who is going to open a shop in the middle of St. James' Street, to publish my bronzes, and am working hard at making several sporting groups for stock, under 366 REMINISCENCES OF others also ' The Death,' with nine or ten hounds, which has been begun so long ago, and will I hope be finished at last. I hope the speculation will not be a failure. I find that the thing would take, if it were more known, and therefore chose that way of publicity. I don't know whether I have written to you since I saw 'Highlander'. He is a wonderful horse, and ought to be kept in an academy as a study for artists ; in some future time, perhaps, it may be thought a not quite inseparable branch of art to study animals too. I was astonished when I came back at the wonderful exactness of your outline of him. As pendants to my bulls I have made two groups of cart-stallions, which I should be very glad if you could see. If you have room anywhere, and don't think the large statue of the duke too bad, and like to accept it, I shall be glad, if you like to take it from my studio. I am only afraid the plaster won't stand the open air, but would do in the kennel, or some place like that. I hope Mrs. Thomson is better, and beg to be kindly remembered. I am so sorry I missed your two sons and Miss A. Thomson the day before yesterday, when they called here. Could you make me a sketch, when sometime at leisure, of a dead fox, how the huntsman holds him to shew the hounds. Excuse the liberty of asking you that trouble, and believe me, " Yours sincerely, '* J. E. BOEHM. " I hope John Pye's leg is well again." COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 367 "The Avenue, " 76 FuLHAM Road, S.W., " igth November, 1872. " My Dear Captain Thomson, — "It reminded me quite of the delightful days when I began and ended my hunting career when the post this morning brought me a letter from you and Captain Percy Williams — the days of which I always shall think back with infinite delight, and shall never cease bragging of having been out with you or of getting a gate slammed on my shins by Percy Hotspur — the days when I ordered a pair of breeches by Hammond, in which moths hunt now instead I in them. Shall you never be any more within reach and have a ' Rocket ' for me ? I shall of course be very glad if Sir Windham Anstruther will call and wishes a copy of your bronze, the only really popular one I ever published. I was obliged lately to raise the price of it to thirty guineas in bronze, because they now charge me exactly double for everything in the German foundry, since the strike system has found its way there, and the late war increased the demand for superior workmen. I was told that out of seventy-four young men who had to join the army from the foundry at Lank- hammer only twenty-nine returned after the un- fortunate time was over ! and I have to try now to get my bronzes done in England. " I am full at work on John Bunyan — a ten feet figure is more amusing to do than small statuettes, and certainly not so trying to the eyes. 368 REMINISCENCES OF " We have now left the house in Onslow Square, which Mr. Mackenzie of Seaforth has made into a Bijoux Museum, full of armour and trophies, etc. I hope Mas. Jack is well, and that Miss Kitty will find plenty of amusement in modelling, than which there is no more fascinating occupation. If I can do anything to aid I shall be most happy. I believe Mr. Steele is a very nice man and a clever sculptor, who I am sure would be useful ; also a Mr. Hutchinson, a clever sculptor whom I know. Please give my compliments to Mrs. Thomson. (I hope everything will come off happily.) " Believe me, " Yours most sincerely, "J. E. BOEHM." His death was very sad and sudden. He was found dead in his studio when one of the royal princesses went there for her lesson in modelling. " PiTSFORD, " 22nd March, 1866. " My Dear Melville, — *' I beg to make the following offer. I am willing to hunt the Pytchley country four days a week. The subscription to be ^3,300, as at present. I hunt the hounds myself. I have spoken to Dick, and he is willing to remain with me under this arrangement. " Ever yours truly, " J. Anstruther Thomson. " Pray let me have an answer ' Yes ' or ' No' as soon as possible, and if there is any decided objection to this proposal, please withdraw my offer at once." COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 369 "Carlton Park, Rockinoham, ''2gth March, 1866. " Dear Thomson, — " I am very sorry to hear that there is a probability of your giving up the hounds. I am, as you know, badly situated for getting out with the Pytchley, but if things can be so arranged as to induce you to continue the mastership, I shall have much pleasure in giving you a subscription of ^50 a year. The only condition that I should like to attach to this offer is that the Forest Day should be changed from Tuesday to Monday. Tuesday is my magistrate's day at Harborough ; and if this change could not be effected, I could hardly hunt with the Pytchley at all without shirking my duties at the bench. " My offer of a subscription is personal to your- self, and I will not pledge myself to your successor. " Believe me, " Yours very truly, " Geoffrey Palmer. " Pray give me a line, in answer, to Senior Uni- versity Club, Suffolk Street, Pall Mall, London." "At a meeting of subscribers to Pytchley Hounds, held at the George Hotel, Northampton, on 4th April, 1866, at 3 p.m.. Earl Spencer in the chair, it was agreed that Mr. Thomson's proposal to hunt the open country four days a week for jC 3,300 during the open season with a huntsman and two whippers-in, and to make arrangements with Mr. VOL. 1. 24 370 REMINISCENCES OF Watson for managing the hunting in the woods during the open season, be accepted, provided the necessary funds be raised for the purpose, and that the terms of the arrangement between Mr. Watson and Mr. Thomson be settled by a committee, to consist of Sir R. Knightley, Bart., Hon. F. Villiers, Hon. C. Cust, A. A. Young, Esq., Captain Clerk. A letter from the Earl of Cardigan on the subject of the above arrangement was considered and referred to Captain Thomson and Mr. Watson. "It was agreed that when Mr. Thomson has made up the seventy-five couple required of him, according to the agreement of last year, the above committee should arrange the number of hounds to be kept up under the new arrangement and the manner in which the hounds to be deducted (if any) should be disposed of. It was agreed that Major W. Melville be requested to act as secretary. " (Signed) Spencer." "6th April, 1866. " My Dear Mr. Thomson, — " I have heard in an indirect way that your offer to the gentlemen of the county with regard to the Pytchley Hounds is either accepted or likely to be accepted, and that there is a proposal for Mr. Watson to keep a pack of hounds to hunt the woodlands. I hope you will not enter into any arrangement with him with regard to the appropria- tion of hounds with Mr. Watson for the purpose, because I cannot allow hounds kept by him to draw COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 371 or run through any of my coverts. I congratulate you on your remaining in the country. " Believe me, " Very faithfully yours, " Cardigan." " Brigstock, 8/A April. " My Dear Lord, — " I received your letter yesterday. I am told, but I have received no official notice, that my offer to hunt the Pytchley country four days a week has been accepted. The idea of Mr. Watson hunting the woodlands was not suggested by me, and was no part of my proposal. I am sorry that your lordship does not approve of the arrangement. I was asked if I would agree to it, and at once did so, as it makes little difference to me, and would promote sport by drawing the forest foxes into the open country. " I beg to thank you for your good wishes, and for all the kindness which I have received from you. " Believe me, " Yours very truly, " J. Anstruther Thomson." "WooTON Hall, Northampton, " lyth April, 1866. " My Dear Jack, — " I enclose a copy of resolutions come to at the meeting on the 4th, as sent me by Spencer. You should have had them sooner, but I thought he would tell you all about it. I was not present, so I don't know what took place, but I fancy when 24 • 372 REMINISCENCES OF they had got rid of their talk they were unanimous enough. As Knightley does not mean to hunt next season, and it cannot therefore affect him, he is likely enough to have seized the tempting opportunity of a growl gratis. "It would take a lawyer's opinion to decide how we all stand now, but I think it is clear that we give you ;^3,300 for four days a week in the open. I have sent circulars according to orders, stimulating the subscribers to fresh exertions under the system which has already fallen through. As, however, I do not find in the answer the slightest tendency to rise, I shall not distress myself on this point. "I go to Hooton either Monday or Tuesday, according to my wife's arrangements for a move to London, so fear I may miss you on the road. You ought to go on Tuesday at latest, for the mug is run for (I think) on Wednesday. *' I hunted with Arkwright yesterday. Such a sweet pack ! I think you would have said there was very little more to be done to these bitches, who worked like the squarest-headed dog hounds I ever cursed, and so handsome. He expects to see you at Cowper's Oak on Thursday. " Yours ever, "G. W. M." 1866. — There was an idea that the forest should be hunted by a separate pack of hounds, and George Watson of Rockingham was quite willing to do it, but Lord Cardigan was strongly opposed to it. COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 373 " WooTON Hall, Northampton, " 8th April, 1866. " My Dear Jack, — " I have a very strong letter from Cardigan, written yesterday on his way through Harborough. He says : ' Speaking of the woodlands, I am anxious to communicate to you that I am quite determined to do everything to prevent a woodland pack being kept. I shall not allow any one of my coverts to be drawn by the proposed hounds of Mr. Watson, and shall consider all running through my woods or over my lands as a trespass, and act ac- cordingly, according to law. [!] I am quite serious and quite determined on this point, and I hope you will let it be known before the necessary arrangements are made.' He goes on to say he has written to you and hopes we shall talk it over ; and concludes : ' The Pytchley Hounds are the proper hounds to hunt the Pytchley country.' " You can show this to Watson if you think it advisable. I will write to him the gist of it by to-day's post. I fear it will be a very difficult matter to get Cardigan's permission to hunt his woods now (at least with Watson's hounds), and I do not see how the latter can do without it. I had already written very strongly to our impracticable friend, apprising him any permission he granted would not be abused, and Spencer had also dis- patched a touching epistle, but it seems without effect. " Yours ever, " G. W. Melville." 374 REMINISCENCES OF " BULWICH, " igth April, 1866. " My Dear Clerk, — " I have this morning received from Whyte Melville the minutes of the meeting of the 4th April. As you are a member of the committee, I want a little advice from you. It is left to me to arrange with Mr. Watson about the hunting of the woods during the open season. It is impossible that I can do so if the landed proprietors object to it, so pre- sume that arrangement must be given up. I am to hunt tAe open country four days a week during the open season. Is that to hold good if the arrange- ment with Watson is given up ; and am I not to go to the woods at all, and if I do, on what days ? " As to the hounds, there are now in the kennel seventy-one couple of old hounds, of which I shall draft ten couple before ist May, to bring them down to the proper complement of sixty couple of old hounds. There are about twelve couple of young ones, which I must make up to nineteen couple before ist May. How many am I to keep in future? I should think fifty-two old and twelve young would be quite sufficient, and what is to be done with the surplus? It is time to be looking out for a customer. " I am going down next week to stay with Naylor for Chester Races, so I shall not see you for some time, and it is better to have these points settled at once. We meet at Biggin Park next Monday, and COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 375 Brigstock on Tuesday, and if there is no rain I think we shall do no more. '* Ever yours, "J. Anstr. Thomson. " To Capt. Clerk." " Spratton, "20th April, 1866. " My Dear Thomson, — " I have yours of yesterday. Melville, I think, made a mistake when he sent you the proceedings of the meeting of the 4th ; such pro- ceedings, I apprehend, were caused by the failure of the wild Watson scheme. I quite understood from Lord Spencer, on Saturday last, that you were to hunt the entire country nine days a fortnight, as proposed some little time ago, and I am sure it is Spencer's impression that it is so settled. I believe S. is now in London, but I will go over to Althorpe to-day on the chance of finding him. "It is in my opinion a great pity that so much trouble should be created about the Brigstock country. The open country, as it is called, cannot be alone hunted four days a week ; blank days will be the result of an attempt to do so, and it would soon dwindle down to a two day a week country. ' Keeping a country together ' is one of the first maxims in hunting, I have been told. " With regard to the hounds, if you do hunt nine days a fortnight, the hounds, I suppose, will require being kept up to sixty couple ; but as I hope Jo see you at Boughton to-morrow I will have 376 REMINISCENCES OF some talk with you on the subject, if you have time. " I should advise you not specifying any par- ticular days for hunting the Brigstock country, but have it left to your discretion to do the best you can. It would probably be the best for you and the hounds to do more there before Christmas than when the days are at the shortest, and then in February to send one lot of hounds to Brigstock kennel for a week. Spencer did that, and every one seemed satisfied, and it did the hounds good. The foresters are not gluttons at hunting in the winter, however much they may like it at this time of year. " Pray excuse all this rigmarole, " Believe me, " Yours very truly, "M. Clerk. " Spencer is the person we really have to look to for support. There is no use in a few cottagers getting together and thinking to settle matters." Met at Biggen Park on 23rd April. Last day. On 26th went to stay with Naylor at Hooton for Chester Races ; George Whyte-Melville and John Welby were there ; saw " Stockwell," the biggest thoroughbred horse I ever saw. On 1 6th June, 1866, Lord Rosslyn died in London. He had been very ill for some time. He was buried at Roslin Chapel, and I went with Lough- borough, John Balfour and John Whyte-Melville by the night train to Scotland. We went straight to COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 37; Roslin to attend the funeral. He was a Lieut. -General in the army and Lieut. -Colonel of the Fife Light Horse. He commanded the 9th Lancers when I joined in 1 836. So many mistakes arose in the consequence of there being two roads between the kennels at Brix- worth and the house at Pitsford that I decided to live at Brixworth. I got possession of the " Nelson" public house, and had to take over all the pewter pots and the beer pump with it! I also got Dr. Noble's house, which was next to it, and I joined the two together. The kitchen was in Noble's house, and I made a "buttery-hatch" in the wall to put the dinner through into the dining-room. 1866. — The first hunt was at Althorpe on the 13th August. Dick Roake, kennel huntsman ; Tom Firr, second whip ; and Will Goodall came from George Fitzwilliam. 30th November, 1866. — The meet was at Duston. About eight o'clock in the morning Dick rushed into my house in his shirt sleeves and said, " What shall we do, sir ? George has fed the wrong lot of hounds." "Why the devil didn't you feed them yourself? What have you got that are not fed ? " " Seven couple of cripples or short of work." "Take all the lightest feeders, give them all a dose of salt and water and send them out to walk." About ten o'clock we drew seventeen couple, and started not very cheerfully. When we got to Brampton some of them looked like drums, so we shut them up at Sanders' house. The moment the hounds were in covert a great banging fox came out across the 3/8 REMINISCENCES^ OF middle of the field. The hounds got a capital start. There was one big black dog, a very hard runner, that had not been fed ; he got away first and was first all day, and the others ran after him. They ran for an hour without a vestige of a check into Grafton country, through Salcey Forest. As I opened the gate at the top of the ride I saw the fox cross at the bottom of the ride and the hounds about a hundred yards behind him, and they ran into him in the next field outside the wood. About the middle of the run Harry Sanders got into a ditch with a horse called " Absalom " on the top of him, and I believe Lord Spencer assisted at the rescue, and afterwards bought Absalom. He was heard exclaim- ing, " Help ! help 1 I'm d d if I shan't be killed 1 Oh, my poor children ! " We had a long way to go back into our own country, and I did not do much more in the afternoon. 5th December. — "Valeria" plopped into a brook at Lilburne, and wet me through up to the chin. I was very hot at the time and it took my breath away. I never knew before the meaning of a chill. I woke in the middle of the night and couldn't turn over in my bed. However I got better in the morning, and got on a pony at twelve o'clock and went out to look for the hounds. The year 1867 began with a very hard frost, which lasted a fortnight. April 20th. — My father-in-law, Rev. J. Hamilton Gray, died in London. He was rector of Burton-in- the-Wold and Rural Dean of Chesterfield. COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 3^9 April 22nd. — Heavy snowstorm. April 27th. — Mr. Hamilton Gray was buried in the crypt at Glasgow Cathedral. He had been in- terested in it, and had put up two memorial windows there. I did not hunt again this season, and went to Charleton. 17th September, 1867. — My wife and I, Kit, Jack and Charlie, with Elise, the French maid, started from Brigstock for the Paris Exhibition. We got to Folke- stone on the 1 8th. It was blowing very hard. On going on board the steamer the steward said, " Will you have a waterproof?" I saw that all the other passengers had them, and when we started with a head wind the boat just dived through the first wave, about three or four feet of water rushing along the deck. The rest of the passengers had gone below except Admiral George Try on, who was going to Egypt in charge of transport. (He was drowned a few years ago in the terrible Victoria disaster.) He and his secretary and Charlie and I, who remained on deck, were the only ones who were not sick ! When we landed at Boulogne all the children were wet through, and as we had cleverly plombeed all our luggage to Paris, we could not get any dry clothes. So we had to put them all to bed while their things were drying. Next morning we went on to Paris to the Clarendon Hotel, and changed from there to the Hdtel Mirabeau. We went to the Exhibition every 380 REMINISCENCES OF day. The chief thing we did was to drink American cocktails and go to the circus in the evening. We came back to Folkestone on the 26th. Jack went back to Eton, and we returned to Brigstock. " Fawsley. " My Dear Thomson, — " About twenty-five years ago the Master of the Pytchley, with the concurrence of the principal members of the hunt, gave Lord Southampton (who at that time hunted the Duke's country) permission to draw all my father's coverts, with the exception of Dodford Holt ; for twenty years he availed himself of it and drew Badby Wood regularly. That per- mission has never been withdrawn to my knowledge by any master of the Pytchley ; but Lord Spencer, when he kept them privately, intimated to me that it was a privilege he did not wish to see made too much use of, and consequently, as he drew this side of the country very fairly, the Duke of Grafton very seldom drew Badby Wood, although he did so on one or two occasions during Spencer's mastership. As I thought you might be ignorant of all these circumstances (and your letter clearly shows you were so), I sent you a message by Craven, that you might apply to me for information rather than to the Duke of Grafton, who is as unlikely to infringe any hunting law as I should be to ask him. But my coverts in Preston Char wel ton and Everdon have never been drawn once this year by you ; Badby Wood and Dodford only twice. We have now COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 381 arrived at the loth of February ; we are eaten up with foxes ; the lambing season is coming on, and it is quite impossible for me to prevent the foxes being destroyed if they are never hunted. Under these circumstances I think it will be better, for all parties that you should not withdraw a permission which has not been taken away by any of your predecessors for a quarter of a century, and trust to me to find you a fox whenever you condescend to draw my coverts. *' Believe me, " Yours very truly, " Rainald Knightly." One day we met at Dob Hall and found in Brampton Wood. After running some time hounds divided. Dick went to stop one lot ; the body went away past Dingley, over the stiff country by Bray- brook, Oxendon, under Clipstone Hill to Hothorpe, Bosworth Gorse, only myself and Tom Firr with them, along the banks of the canal towards Laugh ton Hills. Here I met Jack Topham, coming back from hunting with Tailby. I said, " Come along with me Jack, perhaps I shall want your help ". When we got to the'spinnies on Laugh ton Hills, when I blew my horn twelve couple of strange hounds came to me, and a few minutes after Jim Bailey, Tailby's whipper- in, thinking I was Goodall. The hounds ran all together into the covert, two or three times round it, and killed. Frank Goodall was on the top, I was at the bottom, and as he had to run down hill 382 REMINISCENCES OF and I had to run up, he got to the fox first, and carried it out of the covert. When I got to him he said, "Which will you have, sir, head or brush?" I said, " Brush ". After eating the fox, we said, "Be quiet, don't say a word ". We turned our horses in opposite directions, and whistled quietly and the two packs separated, except one hound, one of mine. I agreed to go on again with the hounds. Will Goodall left ist May. Mr. Herbert Langham was honorary secretary, Major Whyte- Melville having gone to live in London. 1867. 26th August. — Commenced hunting at Althorpe. " COTTESBROOKE PaRK, NORTHAMPTON, ^* February, 1868. " Sir,— "At a meeting of subscribers to the Pytchley Hunt, held at Brixworth on February nth, the following resolution was proposed and carried for season 1868-69: — "'That Captain Thomson's offer to hunt the country four days a week in the open, and the woodlands in the usual way during the spring and autumn, for the sum of ;!^3,ooo, be accepted, provided such sum can be obtained. The open country to include Brampton Wood, Rushton, Bough ton and Weekly Hall Wood.' "(Signed) Herbert Hay Langham." March 1868. — Hounds met at Rockingham COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 383 Castle. There was a long broad avenue which went down to Dene. As I was moving off with the hounds, Lord Cardigan rode up to me and said, "You have known me many years". "Yes, sir." " I have always been a very healthy man." " Yes, sir." " Just now I got a fit of giddiness. I'm not well ; I'm going home — Good-bye," and he rode away slowly towards Dene. About an hour after- wards, when we were near Dene, he came back with his mackintosh on. I said I was glad to see him again. He said, " I felt better, so I thought I would come out for a little while ". One of his keepers lived in a lodge on the avenue ; his name was Simon Bell. A gun burst in his son's hand and injured his fingers. Lord Cardigan rode out to inquire for the boy, and was found dead on the ground and his horse standing beside him at the gate. I believe that he had fallen off in a fit, and that the first symptom of it was when he told me he was giddy a few days before. 13th March, 1868. — Prince of Wales at Al- thorpe ; met at Maidwell. The Prince of Wales came down from London to hunt. Found at Berry- dale, ran through Maidwell Dales, a ring round by Scotland Wood and Kelmarsh to ground near Maid- well ; did not get him. Found again in Scotland Wood, ran well by Kelmarsh Spinnies up to Clipstone, and killed. On to Langborough, which was blank ; found at Sunderland Wood, passed Blue Covert on our left to Faxton Corner, where we got 384 REMINISCENCES OF up to him ; ran on to Mawsley Wood and Old Poor's Gorse. I was on right side of fence with line of gates, Prince on left side, posts and rails, which he jumped most gallantly. Dined at Althorpe. After dinner I was sitting next the Prince, Spencer on his left. The Prince's servant brought his cigar case, which he handed to Spencer. He took one, although he hates smoking. The Prince turned to me and said, " I know you never smoke," and passed it to the next. It was pretty hard work dining out after hunting. Next day we met at Stowe Nine Churches. I was at Althorpe with the hounds about half-past nine. The Prince came out and said, " How are you this morning ? " " Fresh as a four-year-old, sir." He said, " I never was so tired in my life ". He had not been hunting much. We drew Badby Wood, and a great badger crossed the road in front of me. I tried to make the hounds hunt it, but they would not. I forget what we did ; but we ran through a village, down a foot- path with a stiff stile into the road. I jumped it on ** Iris," and the Prince followed me. We had a capital run up to Shuckborough, late in the after- noon. The Prince left there, and went to London by train. Hounds got on a fresh fox and ran down to Ladbrook Gorse in Warwickshire country. I stopped them there, almost dark. I got home at ten o'clock ; hounds a quarter-past twelve. I St August. — A volunteer review took place at Perth, Colonel Bulwer, C.B., commanding. On COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 385 arriving, the Fife Mounted Rifle Volunteers marched to the barracks ; the horses were fed in the riding- school, and the officers and men were hospitably- entertained by the 8th Hussars, a squadron being quartered there under Captain Mussenden. In Yorkshire, Weatherby Show took place on 5th August. I went and stayed at Bramham with George Lane Fox, and got first prize with " Iris " and second with " Borderer ". " 6th August, 1868. " My Dear Thomson, — " I hope to hear nothing is good news, and that Mrs. Thomson is much better, and you relieved from anxiety about the winter. " Your beginning the new house was a good sign. Our movements would depend to some extent on yours, for if I had to take a more active part next season, which I devoutly trust will not be the case, I should like to get home to settle early in November, and be on the spot to see how things go on in the woods. It would therefore be a great relief to me to know I need not think more about this. " We are much bored at being away from Al- thorpe this glorious weather, but we have a charming villa very suitable for my work at Woolwich. When not on my committee, I feel the want of interests about the place and neighbourhood, which is very Cockneyfied, covered with a network of villas and their gardens. " I hope these fine showers may save a few VOL. I. 25 386 REMINISCENCES OF turnip-fields. The ground is so hot, directly rain saturates it, every seed will be forced into growth as though in a hotbed. " Very truly yours, " Spencer." " The Nelson " was a very tight fit for us, and noisy, being in the street. My wife had never been well since her father's death, and during the winter at Brixworth was very unwell, and towards the end of the season she was confined to her bed. I wrote to my sister, Mrs. Montgomery, at Lillington, and said " if she could not come to help me I should have to shut up". Jack was at Eton, Charlie at Mr. King's at Brighton, the girls and Bill were with us, and only Elise, a French maid, to look after them. Mrs. Montgomery came to us, and her husband got a bedroom in the saddler's house. Lord Overstone had a house at Great Houghton which had been a school, and happened not to be occupied, and he most kindly lent it to me. Lord Spencer lent me his omnibus, and we moved Mrs. Thomson there, end of April. We had to carry her downstairs in her bed. She got better while at Houghton, and used to sit out in the garden ; and we had very nice neighbours in the Rev. J. Gregory and his wife. She was sister of John Stone, my old Eton friend. We remained at Great Houghton all the summer. Commenced hunting fit Boughton on 25th COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 387 August. Rev. Mr. Wicks came out on foot with a pint bottle and a broken wine-glass and gave me a glass of cherry brandy. During the summer of 1868 I got possession of the cottage at Brixworth on a lease of five years, and Mr. Wood, my landlord, agreed to lay out a year's rent on improvements. I set to work on it, and built the drawing-room and a staircase, and just succeeded in getting into it at the beginning of the hunting season. Edward Goode, the builder in Brixworth, under- took the work, and was a first-rate workman and excellent man. I used to ride over every day from Great Houghton, and all the stablemen used to work as masons' labourers in the afternoon, their only pay being some pints of beer. They got on well with the work, as we got into the house on 1 2th November. The plaster was not quite dry and used to sweat at night ; I used to wipe it down with a rough cloth. Then Bill got an attack of bronchitis ; we were able to keep him in the old part of the house with a curtain across the passage. My wife was very unwell during most of the winter, and I did not like to disturb her in the morning. I waited till the last moment, and then galloped all the way to covert. I went to Misterton, sixteen miles, with two hacks, and did it in an hour and ten minutes. 25* 388 REMINISCENCES OF CHAPTER XXII. SALE OF PYTCHLEY HORSES AND LEATHAM GRANGE. On 9th January, 1869, the hounds ran into the coverts at Dene while a shooting party was going on. Next day I wrote to Lady Cardigan : — *' loth January, 1869. " My Dear Lady Cardigan, — " I am very sorry that the hounds yesterday ran into one of your coverts and disturbed the sport of your friends who were shooting there. I could have prevented it ; but the hounds were in the middle of the covert before I was aware that there was any shooting. I hope that we did not very much interfere with their sport. We found a fresh fox in the covert and another in Oakley purlieus, which we also ran through. " Believe me, " Yours very truly, " J. A. T." " Dene, " isth January, i86g. " My Dear Mr. Thomson, — " Many thanks for your kind letter. Your hounds did no harm whatever. I should be only too COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 389 glad to see them a little oftener. Formerly, when Lord Spencer hunted them, he gave Lord Cardigan leave to ask Mr. Fitzwilliam to come occasionally (about once in three weeks) during February and March until the Pytchley came to Bristock, which was a great aid in getting rid of the numerous foxes in my woods, but of course I should not like to ask your consent unless it were perfectly agree- able to you. I only mention it now because last week Mr. Why te- Melville, who came to see me from Bulwich, told me he thought you would not object. " Believe me, " Yours very sincerely, " Adeline Cardigan." " Milton, Peterborough, ** zznd January, i86g. " Dear Thomson, — " I received a letter from Lady Cardigan to-day enclosing one from you to her, in answer to a request she seems to have made that I might be allowed to hunt the Dene woods. Of course, I don't know in what terms the request was made, but the idea did not originate with me, for Lady Cardigan asked me some time ago to go and hunt at Dene, and I was obliged to remind her of the etiquette which M.F.H.'s are expected to show as regards hunting, and that I could not without special per- mission invade a neighbouring country. " However, your answer to Lady Cardigan has set the matter at rest to the end of your mastership 390 REMINISCENCES OF of the Pytchley, which I am sorry to see is so near at hand. *' We killed one of your foxes to-day after a very good hunting run over the fine grass country between the woods. I hope you have had good sport. We have had better than I ever remember — the bad days are quite the exception. " Believe me, " Yours truly, "G. W. FiTZWILLIAM." 1869. — The Due de Chartres when staying at Althorpe was out hunting a few times. He was a capital fellow, very keen and handy ; would jump off to open gates and make himself useful. When he went away he sent me a beautiful book on hunting, in three volumes. " Morgan House, Ham, Surrey, " igth February, 1869. '• My Dear Sir, — " I take the liberty of forwarding to you by rail a copy of M. de Noirmont's History of Hunt- ing in France. When I was last at Spratton House we spoke of that book ; and I hope you will accept it as a remembrance of the days' sport I have enjoyed with your hounds. " Pray believe me, *' Yours very truly, " Robert d'ORL^ANS " (Due de Chartres). "Captain J. Thomson, " Brixworth." COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 391 " Brixworth, "zoth February, 1869. " Dear Due de Chartres, — " I beg to return your Royal Highness my sincere thanks for your kindness in sending me that beautiful work on hunting, which I received this morning. I assure you that I shall study it with much pleasure and value it most highly as a memento of having had your Royal Highness as a brother fox-hunter. If I have an opportunity I shall beg you to do me the honour of writing your name in it. I hope I may again have the pleasure of seeing you out hunting before the end of the season, which, I am sorry to say, is my last as Master of the Pytchley. " I have the honour to remain, " Yours very truly, "J. Anstruther Thomson." 1869. — On giving up the Pytchley Hounds I had many offers to take other countries. North Warwickshire. — Jenings* letter : — " MiLVERTON Farm, Leamington, " i^th February, 1869. " Dear Thomson, — "How would it suit you to take the North Warwickshire country, as Mrs. Thomson is in delicate health ? You could get good house here, amusement, and plenty of medical advice for her ; also be able to hunt two days a week with the Pytchley ; and your 392 REMINISCENCES OF doing so would confer a great favour on our hunt committee (of which I am one) as well as on the hunting people here generally. " Be kind enough to send me a line at your con- venience, and oblige, " Yours very truly, " J. F. Jenings." " Shardeloes, Ambrsham, *' 2ird January, 1869. " My Dear Thomson, — " My parson comes from London, and tells me he hears you give up the Pytchley. You will, like me, be miserable without hounds. Have you any fancy to hunt a bad country, with a good sub- scription (about ;^2,ooo per annum ; kennels, hounds and stables found), as this country will be vacant in a few days? I am not authorised to offer you this country, as I do not think any one but myself knows that it will be vacant. But when it is, I have a good deal to do with choosing the Master, as several landed proprietors will do what I advise. Don't mention this till you have written to me, and if you fancy it, wait my answer. " Yours very truly, "T.T.Drake. " Three days a week." New Forest. — Lindesay Shedden and Martin Powell's letters : — COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 393 ''^Private. " Delaware, Lyminoton, Hants, " i8