Carruchan Dumfries
29 Sept 1868
My dear Mr Talbot
It is so seldom you receive a letter from me that I daresay when you get this one you will guess the reason why I, and not Tilly, am now your correspondent I am thankful to say she is very well, and going on most satisfactorily in every. [sic] but owing to her having been a little out of her reckoning and not thinking her time so near as it really must have been, she has been going about & exerting herself more than she ought, and in some way or other, which we do not know, must have unconsciously strained herself and this I grieve to say had the worst effect on the poor little babe, which was not born alive. It was a fine boy and what has happened is a great disappointment to us both, but we are very thankful that Tilly is so well.
The reason why I did not write to you earlier was that I left Carruchan on Saturday in Glasgow on business, and did not return till last night. The news of what had happened meeting me at Thornhill on my way home I do not know where Charles is or I would write to him. perhaps you will let him know. –
The Dr who is attending Tilly gave an excellent report of her this forenoon so much so that he does not think it necessary to return today and does not propose to call again till tomorrow
I will intend to write again in a day or two to let you know how we are going on
Believe me to be affectly yours
J: Gilchrist Clark
I have written to Venice, to Cotehele & to Markeaton.
[envelope:]
[rear flap blind embossed:] Dumfries & Galloway Club
H. F. Talbot Esq.
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham
Wiltshire