[printed Christmas greeting, not manuscript]

[printed heading of a large ‘H’ in style of medieval MS; ‘Merry Christmas’ in black-letter style; blackbird, mistletoe and holly]

The Robin

Who would fancy this December,

Now the sun is shining bright,

For last year I well remember

How the snow lay cold and white;

All around ’twas lying coldly,

And so silently it fell

That poor Robin ventured boldly,

On the sill his wants to tell.

Now I hear him in the laurels,

Chant his morning hymn so sweet,

Whilst the holly shows its corals

For his promised Christmas treat.

I am sure he still remembers

All the crumbs we gave last year,

And will many more Decembers

Ask from us his Christmas Cheer.

Jack.

Dec. 24^th 1868.

[envelope:]
H. F. Talbot Esq^r.
Dabton
Thornhill - N. B.