Dabton January 12th 1866
My dear Papa,
This is just a line to let you know that it is possible that Johnnie may turn up in Edinburgh unexpectedly – as he went off last night to Dalkeith (via Carlisle where he was to sleep) to see the Duke. He was to sleep at Dalkeith tonight & tomorrow, & try to see you on Monday, before coming back – so don’t be startled if you see him – The weather is shocking – snow fell the night before last, & yesterday was a bright frosty day: with the ground all white – last night it snowed again, and it has rained all today, so that the country is looking perfectly dreadful – a black & white prospect of half melted snow! Jack has a little cold, but I don’t think it will be of any consequence – the rest of us are quite well, & it is wonderful, how we have escaped so long from taking colds. Will you thank Mama for her letter, and say that I will write to her soon If you see Johnnie he must tell you all the news, which I am afraid won’t take him long, as there is none that I know of. Please tell Mama that we had almost decided before I got her letter on having the Cows vaccinated, and I think it will be done. It appears after all to be the remedy, as far as one can collect from the newspapers. –
The children send their love to you, & with the same from myself I am your most affecte
daughter Tilly