[embossed symbol of a banner over an encircled star, repeated on second sheet]
Speddoch
Oct 25th 1859.
My dear Papa,
I hope that you have by this time safely received a box containing 4 grouse which we sent off by the train yesterday afternoon. I didn’t know whether you cared for them till I got your letter the other day, or we should have sent you some more sooner, but I hope they will arrive in good condition and I think you will find them ready for immediate use. I am sorry to say that Mamie and Rosamond are not here, and that they have finally been obliged to give up all thoughts of coming, owing to this sudden plunge which we seem to have made into the depths of winter. A little snow, which fell on Friday, has not yet melted – yesterday morning we had 16 degrees of frost. Of course all the poor flowers are done for, they perished in a single night, just when the gardener was thinking of taking them into the greenhouse, and the leaves have fallen in such showers, that the trees have suddenly become quite bare – This is but a melancholy picture, and so I think the last letter I got from Grasmere saying that they think it prudent to turn South and start for Lacock on Thursday if possible, was a prudent one – Of course it is a disappointment on both sides, but I should not have so much pleasure in showing them Speddoch when it is looking wintry and desolate. I suppose I shall hear today if they still intend to start homewards the day after tomorrow. Thank you for making us some fuchsia cuttings, they will be a great ornament, if they will consent to thrive here as well as at Lacock. I think we already cultivate Snow-berries to a large extent, though the people here deny that the Pheasants eat them, which I thought was a recognised fact – The Cold weather has made the Partridges so Tame, that they come into the garden and run up and down in front of the windows – Mr Montgomerie is staying here just now, and John and he are gone out shooting, in the happy assurance that nothing they can meet with is now illegal; Black game, grouse, partridges, pheasants, snipes woodcocks, rabbits or hares, all are equally welcome. Do you really think of going to Paris during this frost, for I believe it is a remarkably cold place? We have not at all given up our idea of Italy during some part of this winter, if we can manage it, but it seems uncertain when we should be able to start. I am very sorry to hear that you are not well, but now you Know, that they are all going home in a day or two, you will have plenty of people to take care of you. – I got a nice long letter from Aunt Caroline the other day, but still she said nothing about the baby’s name, though I suppose it must be decided on now. You see I have not been able to collect much news, as we are very quiet just now, and have heard nothing amusing, except the warlike attitude of Spain which sounds very odd! Good bye, dear Papa yr affectionate Daughter Matilda.