Edinburgh
Sunday
My dear Papa,
I hope you have received the photographs quite safely I sent them off on Friday evening, coming in from a drive, and had not time to write before dinner
By your last letter I see that the garden at Lacock is already gay, and if this delightfully warm weather lasts, the flowers every where will soon be in beauty. Thursday was a charming day we drove to Granton to call on Lady McNeill & family and we found them walking in their garden without cloaks or bonnets! They have a small greenhouse very full of showing things Azalias Camelias &c now in perfection. They presented us with bouquets of double violets growing in the open air, but protected with a bell glass which induces them to flower early and in great abundance
Perhaps you read in the papers the sad account of the total destruction by fire of Donybristle house belonging to Lord Moray I think which occurred a few days ago from Granton it was distinctly seen as it burnt gradually down to the ground and presented from over the water a fine though distressing spectacle. Thursday was the first warm day we had enjoyed for some time Wednesday was wet and the weather before generally cold & fine Next day Friday we had an open carriage to take us round the Queens drive and enjoyed it very much, though the view was not particularly clear Charles took advantage of the beauty of the day to go an excursion to Melrose as he found it was much easier to see it from here than stopping on his journey and then (admire his courage), he went to a ball in the evening though he had been out to the Assembly only the night before so you see just how we are making the best of our remaining time here.
As Mamma is writing too I will not make a long letter of this, but conclude dear Papa wishing you today, at Lacock if you are there still, the same warm sun and mild wind that we are enjoying in our Northern clime
Yr affecte daughter
Ela
I was surprised at your saying my seedlings were already in flower I thought Anemones took longer to come to perfection.
[engraved visiting card]
Earl of Shrewsbury & Talbot
[added by hand]
4 Lowndes St