Dabton January 25th
My dear Papa,
I did not answer your letter yesterday, because I hoped that we might be able to fix positively on what day we could go to you. but we cannot quite do that yet, as our movements (or John’s at least <1> depend on the rent days at the beginning of the month, and the rent days depend on certain fast days which John has not yet been able to ascertain exactly. I think however, that may safely promise to be with you between the 10th & 15th of February – if that suits your arrangements, and very likely I may turn up first with the children, and leave John to follow when he has finished all his business – I am sorry that we have been keeping you so long in uncertainty, but we have really not been able to settle the time of our going to you any sooner. Our guests, the Maxwells of Terregles<2> left us early yesterday morning – Their visit went off very well, on the whole, and we found them very ready to be pleased & to do anything that was proposed: before they left, we settled, that is John, Baby & I, to go to them on Wednesday next & stay all night, in order to (except Baby!) accompany them to a concert in Dumfries, for we are to have Grisi & Mario too! in that evening <3> – so I think we shall drive down in time for an early dinner & then go on together. Terregles is very near Dumfries. I hope you will have got the Pheasants in time for your dinner party today & the Pine: if not, it will be in time for the next one. Will you thank Monie<4> for her last letter, & tell her that it will do very well to leave the receipted bills till I come to claim them. The children send their love, and are quite excited at the idea of going to Edinburgh to see you all – Johnnie is gone to Dumfries, & very likely he may be in Edinburgh again for a day during the coming week, as he has to go & see the Duke<5> again – With love to all, I remain your most affect. daughter
Tilly
They sent us such lovely lilac Orchids fr. Drumlanrig Garden on Monday!…
Notes:
1. Her husband, John Henry Gilchrist-Clark (1830-1881), 'Jack', Scottish JP.
2. William Constable-Maxwell, 10th Lord Herries of Terregles (1804–1876), and his wife, Marcia Mary, née Vavasour (1816-1883).
3. The famous soprano, Giulia Grisi (1811-1869), and her lover, the legendary tenor, Giovanni Matteo Mario di Candia (1810-1883); they were idolised in London in 1839 when they debuted opposite each other.
4. Rosamond Constance Talbot (16 Mar 1837 - 7 May 1906), 'Rose'; 'Monie'; artist & WHFT's 2nd daughter; died & buried at San Remo, Italy, with a memorial at Lacock.
5. Prince Alfred, 1st Duke of Edinburgh (1844–1900), 2nd son of Queen Victoria, who later became the Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha.