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[Huntly]

Dec. 28. 29

Peterborough 15.

Orton Hall,
Peterborough.

Dear Mr. Buchan,

Will you kindly accept a
copy of my last contribution to the Book world
"called "auld acquaintance", with my
best wishes to you for the coming year.
When I had the pleasure of meeting you at
Peterborough last August I did not tell you
that Lord Shrewsbury, who was Lord High
Constable and officiated in that capacity at
the execution of Mary, Queen of Scots, was
the owner of this place at the time and rode
over to Fotheringhay, about 8 miles away,
from here. I inherited Orton from my
grandmother, who succeeded to it, through
a line of heiresses, from Lord Shrewsbury.
You will find reference to this in my book
and also a chapter on Melgund (my
old school fellow and chum).

I wrote to amuse myself, and I aimed
at showing that whether a man follows
a literary or professional career, or was
a politician or a journalist, or a sports-
man, he can note events in his life,
which relieve monotony, and brighten
his days.