Dabton
April 20th 1866.
My dear Papa,
I am very glad to hear that you have returned prosperously to Edinburgh & enjoyed your trip abroad. I never answered your letter, as you moved about so rapidely <sic> that I never knew exactly where to write to you. When is Aunt Caroline coming home? I suppose They will be thinking of doing so soon. I am afraid you will think every thing in this country looking very backward now, after the flowers of the South – for it is a very late Spring – Today, for a wonder we have a little sunshine – but there have been one or two very heavy showers – quite storms of rain during the day. Sir William & Lady Jardine have been with us since Tuesday. They came, or at least he did, with the object of examining some places in this part of the country, from an antiquarian and geological point of view – and it has only been possible to go anywhere today – yesterday it poured all day! Lady Jardine & I contented ourselves with going over to Drumlanrig – She is an old lady, & not up to much exertion – Sir William is a man whom I am sure you would like to meet – he is so well informed & so scientific on almost every subject. A great botanist to begin with. We are to have one or two people to a dinner tonight. They leave us tomorrow – & on Monday I believe I shall have to go to Glasgow to see a lady’s maid, which is very tiresome – but I expect to engage her, & it is better to go at once than write so many letters – I thought Mama would like to hear this. I hope you found every body in Great Stuart Street in a flourishing condition – The children are very well, & send their love to you – and with the same from myself to you & the rest, I am your most affecte daughter
Tilly
Shall we hear the result of the Reform Bill tomorrow? –