Craigdarroch
Moniaive
Feb 12th 1868
My dear Papa
I ought to have written to you for your birthday, to wish you many, many happy returns of the same, but I was prevented in several ways from doing so; so I hope you will not think it too late now to receive this, as if it had come at the right time – I was very glad indeed to receive your letter, as it was such a long time since I had heard anything of you, and I wanted to know how you were getting on – You do not seem much farther on in the way of flowers out of doors than we are – for we have heaps of snow drops – only of course the flower in the conservatory are quite a different matter. Last Saturday we received a basket from Drumlanrig, containing orchids of various sorts, but mostly green & white Chimonanthus fragrans & a bunch of immense violets, which I suppose grew under glass. We came here on Monday, & return tomorrow to Dabton – this place is four miles beyond Moniaive the village whose name always interests you – Yesterday was a lovely mild day, & we walked to the top of a crag near here, & had a most extensive view over the surrounding country – Today it is also very mild and pleasant: – too mild for the season, for I am sure we shall have to pay for all this bye & bye. I had a letter from Ela today – she says that Mamie’s sprain was gradually getting better, it was a most unlucky accident, but I hope she will soon get over the effects of it – I am very glad that Charles is going to Markeaton & I hope he will have a pleasant visit there – We found a beautiful little crimson Peziza here – growing on a stick, & I am going to draw its picture –
Good bye, dear Papa
your affecte daughter
Tilly
Do send me the name of some good old fashioned perrenial <sic> plants I want to put some in the garden –