<Gilchrist-Clark printed crest>
Dabton
Thornhill
Sep 21st 1870
My dear Papa,
It is a long time since I have written to you, & I have not written to, or heard from anybody at Lacock for some days. Here we have been rather taken up with old Dr & Mrs Strange, who are still staying with us – as they came to Scotland on purpose to pay a visit to us, & to Carruchan, they have arranged to stay till next Tuesday, & then go to Mary Maxwell. Mama will perhaps be interested to hear that Mrs Strange is a Derbyshire Lady – a Miss Arkwright she was – & her mother lives near Matlock – she remembers all the Markeaton family long ago very well – but only saw Mama a few times I believe – & does not remember her so well as the others as she herself was so much older – Dr Strange is a very nice kind old man & we have also had a Mr Taylor staying with us – an old college friend of John’s whom I did not know at all – he only remained till today – but has been a great help with the others – we have been taking them drives about the country, which they admire very much – the weather has been so very pleasant – warm for the Season, showery, bright, misty & everything else by turns – very effective – & the hills looking so pretty! I only hope it will be as nice when Mamie & Monie come. The gardens are as yet very little injured by the frost – & the trees only slightly turned colour. – We have not any any <sic> parties for these guests but on Saturday last dined with them at Drumlanrig – the only time we have been there this year – they are old friends of the Duke & Duchess’ – I am just going out for a drive – to take advantage of the fine part of a rather doubtful day. I hope you are getting well through all your troubles about the church – how long all that bother has lasted – I do hope that when you once get settled with the new man, all will go well – & that you will enjoy a little tranquillity
With much love to yourself & to all – in which the children join – ever, my dear Papa yr most affecte daughter
Tilly
Were you frightened at our Chantarelles? we will give you some when you come to see us – if in season – they are very good – We are very prudent & careful about any experiments – only going on the best authority.