FL4651278

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17^th Jan^y 1868
Ercildoun.

My dear Sir,

Though I write from Mr Learmonth's
rather celebrated homestead, my proper
address is still (though in these troubled
times I know not how long it will be) at
the Parliament Houses. This is a
well-ordered establishment, and I wish
you could see it. As you probably
know, Mr. Learmonth takes prizes and
obtains high prices both for stock and
wool. I have before me a
letter from your late brother, which I
had not replied to when I was startled
by hearing of his departure, and which
I have not mentioned by writing to you
before, because I shrunk from intruding
on your privacy. His was a letter
in which he replied to one from me congratulating
him on his daughter's marriage, but
in which as usual in our letters he
spoke of many other subjects.

I have been long intending to write
to you and have indeed had the letter
I speak of in my pocket for some time
and I now take the opportunity of a rainy