Trossaet’s[?] Hotel
22^d June 1859

My Dear Papa

I am afraid you will have thought me rather long in accomplishing my promise but I hoped that by waiting a little I might be able to give you an account of some interesting excursion – The weather is, however, become much too unsettled to allow of any thing of the Kind being thought of – Yesterday it rained without ceasing all day long, and it was only in the evening about ½ past seven, that we ventured out for a short time during an interval – Today is very much the same, only the showers are more broken, but the clouds are so low on Benvenue, that we can only see about half of it – The wet has also put an end to our botanical researches for the present, which is a pity, as there are such quantities of things in flower – I never saw such immense quantities of butterfly ochises, and sweet lilac ones, besides the common spotted – we are trying to coaxe a few of them to dry, but after having been two whole days in press, they look as fresh as ever. The country is covered with wild roses, broom and honeysuckles in every direction, and I dare say you would find all sorts of curious things if you were here – On Monday we drove to Callander, and were very glad to profit by the contents of the Hamper, and take some melon cake with us for luncheon – On a hillside there, near a wood, we found some very fine wood-strawberries, which I think is very early for this part of the country – On the other hand, it is so cold as to put sketching out of the question just now, and to oblige us to order a fire, after having tried to do without it for a short time, as it is really distressing to want a fire on the longest day in the year. – Will you thank Mamie for her long letter, and also for the parcel of wool and its enclosure; which explains what puzzled me at first – the heavy postage – I think the earrings quite lovely – I was exceedingly sorry to hear of poor Mamie being so unwell which I had no idea of post is going this instant – y^r most affec^te daughter

Matilda