Dabton
May 8th 1866
My dear Papa
The parcel containing your pretty little present for Connie, and Monie’s work, arrived safely this morning, and I will give Connie the little doll tomorrow – I am sure that she will be delighted with it – and I wish what you were here to give it to her yourself. I am glad that you are able to say that your cold was a little better yesterday. for it has been a most disagreable and stubborn one, and I had hoped that you had got almost rid of it by this time – but it is just the most difficult kind of weather for shaking off a cold. That can be, hot, cold, and damp by turns. Today is a fine growing day. That is, it has rained almost without stopping – Yesterday was fair, with a very strong cold west wind – We drove to Speddoch in the little open carriage, thinking it was warm, and we were glad of all the wraps we had taken with us. Our tenants, Mr & Mrs Maxwell, are soon going to Edinburgh, & we had been owing them a call for some time, so we wanted to see them before they left – Speddock was looking very nice – poor James Fergusson has been far from well for a long time – his face looked quite pinched up. Tell Monie that my chickens are not quite so prosperous as they were – One brood took the gapes the other day, and are very ill – but we have hitherto only had one death. We are trying Cloroform for these – hoping that it may be successful.
Please thank Ela & Monie for the work they sent me: I think it is very pretty Tell Charles that I think his reasons for not coming on Monday were very bad ones! but he can come any day he likes now, only he had better give us a day’s notice – before arriving. I hope soon to get a more flourishing account of you dear Papa, & to hear that you are well enough to think of starting for Lacock, as I dare say you are anxious to see the flowers there. We have had 4 seeds of the gigantic Radish given to us. 2 have been sown and are already come up.
Yr affec daughter
Tilly