2 Hope Street
Edng 26h May 1869
W. H. F. Talbot
Sir
I am quite ashamed to be only now replying to your last letter but it came at a time when we were quite overwhelmed with the business of the May term
Mr Learmouth was introduced to us by Mr Macredie whom we know well as an occupant of a self contained house in Melville St & therefore had no hesitation whatever in accepting of him as a tenant, he is an elderly gentleman & had a delicate wife & appear to be quiet living people, they intend to be only in 13 St Stuart Street about a month at present & will be away till November, I think I told you in my last letter that the rent is to be paid quarterly
In regard to the Oven, we were obliged to open it for the Marquis of Tweeddale as they could not do without it & we cautioned them how to check the draught & I took Mr & Mrs Learmouth down to the Kitchen & told them that I had orders from you that the oven was not to be used but they pled also that it was indispensable & they promised to be careful in attending to my instructions regarding it, I rather think the Earl of Dunmore said more than was necessary about it
I am Sir Your mo obed Sert
John Mushet
[envelope:]
W.H.F. Talbot Esquire
Hotel Grande Bretagne
Florence
Italy