E Douglas to Sholta 9 Oct 1869

 Grangemuir, Oct 9th 1869, Fife

My dear Sholta

We came here a week ago bringing the children & today pass on by Bamff & Kinch_____ home. So I hope to send you a few lines in answer to your letter of 3d received yesterday.  I did not deserve such a capital letter, & think it is rather hard upon the dear little Madame that she does not sometimes get such like, but not to be unthankful lest you are provoked to letter silence, we were both very glad to hear something of you and that you are well and happy and we think you do wisely to stay abroad

… We have been steady at home since July & have been much given to children at one time having had the whole five with us.  Early dinners & heavy teas were the order of the day & the beautiful summer was all in our fav[ou]r.  Charlotte makes such a capital controller of youth, and I am sure they were very happy with us …There was as you may suppose  much scampering along the roads – Archie & Katherine are both growing strong & stout, and I am thankful to say they have been very well since they came to us –

I am teaching Archie Latin now he is a very intelligent boy and it is a pleasure to teach him anything among other things he has a capital idea of music.  We have not had many visitors.  

…I am now writing from Bamff James Ramsay & his children are all well. It was very trying to dear Charlotte to be at Church yesterday – her grave is kept like a like a little garden & little Dolly laid a bunch of heather in the grave yesterday, while others laid flowers. Dolly is such an old fashioned little thing a strong will she has I think the old nurse remains with them and he is as much taken up with them as Mr Butler ____ in the Tyrol and visits about in Scotland have taken him away from them a while which is just as well.  …

I think after Xmas we will possibly go with Edinburgh.  Archie must go to school & Katharine must be taught more than Charlotte is able or has time to teach her –

Moreover we both find a long winter at Killie & especially early Spring tedious – but we find it difficult to fix plans.  For our servants are very steady & well behaved & we do not like to send them away, besides when we speak of which-___ they at once fall into it.  Everything seems to contrive to keep us at Killie – & duty also – but at time I do feel most anxious to clear off our debts –

We hope to have a visit by Eliza Hope on our return – & Douglas to come the end of the month.  He has been more than usually silent but wrote the other day a very hearty letter – We have had most delightful weather in the last 10 days.  The trees are quite green still and autumn lingers delightfully.

…Now I really must stop or I shall be late for breakfast.  Charlotte is looking well I think she is bothered at times by rheumatism but not seriously so -  I am falling a little blind & a little deaf but no health ___ much sha__ than I used to be –

I was so glad to hear of you seeing the children here when we were at London – Ramsay is a much soberer & wiser man than he used to be I think.  I suppose we have all much to make us wiser & better if we will but listen to the voice within us and seek the help which is from high -

Goodbye dear Sholta from

Your very affect[ionate] brother

Edward O. Douglas