<Gilchrist-Clark printed crest>
Dabton
Thornhill
April 1st/69
My dear Papa,
We have sent the Alderman home to his native city, & triumphally <sic> returned Major Walker by a majority of 36. – Mary Maxwell & I were in Dumfries every day during the election. It was most exciting – At the declaration yesterday the crowd was immense & very noisy – hooting, groaning & hissing Major W. & cheering Sir Sidney violently – they hissed poor old Sheriff Napier – they groaned when he proposed three cheers for the Queen, & nothing short of the very strong force of police kept the mob from commiting <sic> actual acts of violence – However the whole thing is now well over, & so I hope it will rest – but the opposite party threaten already to petition against the return on the ground of undue influence –
Mrs Clark Kennedy and her three children are at Carruchan – & will probably come on here to pay us a visit a little later. The weather continues very cold – dusty high sharp east winds very trying to delicate people – Please give my love to Aunt Caroline & Ernestine. I hope they continue to have good accounts from Cannes, & from Charlie – The children here are all well again – I think I told you of little Mimai’s bad cold – it is quite gone now. With much love to yourself, from all here, I am yr most affecte daughter
Tilly
Jack is wild with delight at the result of the election –