[blind stamp:]
Carruchan –

January 2^d 1865.

My dear Papa,

I have not yet thanked you for sending me the engravings which you told me of in your letter, and I dare say I should have put off doing so till I had seen them, but we are now going to stay here until Thursday, so I don’t like waiting any longer – I think it is likely that we shall be quietly at home now for a little while at least, and John & I are hoping, what we have long talked of and wished for, that you would come & pay us a little visit – and see Dabton, & the children, who are so much grown & altered in every way, that I am sure you would scarcely know them. I wrote this yesterday, but was interrupted & unable to finish – Our weather is beautiful just now, & we think the country is looking as nice as it can in winter. today has been lovely – such bright sunshine! Johnnie & I have been exploring the neighbourhood, and taking rather a long walk, across the moss – and this afternoon I have been sketching a large branch of brambles which I brought in on purpose. This evening we are to dine at Banks of Clouden, & I shall be able to post this letter in Dumfries on the way – otherwise we have always to send them away from here quite early, which is very inconvenient. Both Mary Maxwell & Aunt Christianna have managed to catch bad colds. I hitherto have escaped, so that I consider myself very lucky. Please thank Mama & Mamie for their most acceptable presents of pears, bonbons & the cherries are great favourite with the little ones, & Mama’s little blue box is one of the prettiest I have seen; Good bye dear Papa, I hope you will consider favourably of our proposal, & come & see us soon for a little while –

Y^r affec^te daughter
Tilly –

[envelope:]
H. F. Talbot Esq^r.
13. Great Stuart Street
Edinburgh-