Rockville
Kirkudbright
June 24th
My dear Papa
We arrived here yesterday having put off leaving Dabton <1> till Thursday and are lodged in a tiny house close to a little bay in the only house in sight besides being a farm which supplies us with milk and butter. – We had a fine day yesterday for coming – but this morning rain again to the disappointment of the children who wish to be out all day paddling in the water – We picked up Tot yesterday as we passed Carruchan where he had stayed nearly three weeks and the change of air had done him much good – he is looking fatter and stronger –
Yesterday for supper, we had great mushrooms with our bread and butter they were excellent – and we were none the worse – a few evenings ago we tried slices of Puff-ball – fried (Lycoperdon gigantium) when young and tender it is excellent – and resembles omelette – you should try the dish by all means at Lacock – They should be used quite fresh – the slices should look white as snow and be half an inch in thickness – It should be discarded if when cut any yellow marks or stains appear for then they are too old– fry in butter and add butter pepper and salt to taste. –
Please thank Mama <2> for her last letter received Tuesday – Tilly <3> has written to Charles <4> about coming to Scotland and we are expecting his answer – Maimai says – She wants Grand-Papa to come here – So I give her message. –
Tell Mama that I heard a few days since from Annie Craig <5> – just returned from her brother’s wedding and on the point of starting for Switzerland with her Sister and brother-in-law. She mentioned that her Hermistone Aunts are now paying visits in England –
I keep this open till post time to see if any letters come – We have not heard lately from Italy and should be glad of their address if they have given one since Florence – I expect to remain here about a fortnight and then pay a short visit to Miss Clark at Dumfries before returning home –
Are you still dried up at Lacock?
Good-bye dear Papa
Yr affecte daughter
Ela
Notes:
1. Dabton, Dumfriesshire: home of WHFT’s daughter Matilda.
2. Constance Talbot, née Mundy (1811–1880), WHFT’s wife.
3. Matilda Caroline Gilchrist-Clark, ‘Tilly’, née Talbot (1839–1927), WHFT’s 3rd daughter.
4. Charles Henry Talbot (1842–1916), antiquary & WHFT’s only son.
5. Anne, sister of James Henry Gibson-Craig, who married on 9 June 1870.