Letter from F. Howard Collins, Churchfield, Edgbaston, to William Angus Knight, 1897 March 21 : autograph manuscript signed.

Apologizing that his hopes of taking him salmon fishing "...must remain unfulfilled for this spring at all events. I returned home last night with only half my intended holiday expired. The excessive rain, snow, & consequent spates rendered fishing so absolutely & utterly futile that there was nothing left but to follow what I have heard is a Scotsman's lead i.e., to come south to better oneself. I never even saw a fish on the only two days I attempted to fish, much less never caught one! On the Faskally waters - which I nearly took - two rods have been flogging it all this month & have at last to give it up from sheer despair : neither got a single fish. Since our pleasant dinner together, the thought has struck me whether you ever want to give a small prize for some essay or other which may set in your professional capacity. If so, & you would care to let me know it, I should be pleased to send you a copy of the "Epitome" : it's not much but it might possibly be sufficient for some of your juniors. Many thanks for putting my name down at the Club - it was most enjoyable to go there while at St. Andrews."