My dear Papa,
John <1> would be much obliged if you could let him know by return of post whether you think this seal of any value, and can at all decipher the writing. It was sent him by Kt Grierson.
Mama’s & E’s <2> letters just received; I should think the removal of that yew tree would be a great improvement. It was mild today. Mimay went out for the first time, & Tilly <3> left her room, feeling quite well, & came into the school room for a change. The others are progressing rapidly. Please tell E, that if she has many preserved eggs left she can send half Tilly’s box full of them
your affect daughter
R.T.
Dabton <4>
Monday evening.
Please return the seal.Notes:
1. John Gilchrist-Clark (1830–1881), Scottish JP; WHFT’s son-in-law.
2. Constance Talbot, née Mundy (1811–1880), WHFT’s wife, and Ela Theresa Talbot (1835–1893), WHFT’s 1st daughter.
3. Matilda Caroline Gilchrist-Clark, ‘Tilly’, née Talbot (1839–1927), WHFT’s 3rd daughter.
4. Dabton, Dumfriesshire: home of WHFT’s daughter Matilda.