Undated handwritten letter:
'I really can't quite give thee the [?] of my cold. I think I wish the L[?] one. I took a fresh one the day after thou left - + I have had a [?], more or less, since then. Just now there seems an interlude - as between the rain storms. Why don't you buy an old Culloden sword with a basket hilt? It wd be a charming possession. Owl will make this a short letter, as it has to write an elaborate one (with sketches) to the engraver, about the illustrations to the pamphlet, in wh she is much interested.
M. Narville[?] has sent me some very nice photographs - + he tells me that Mr MacGregor has made excellent ones. I have written to ask for copies. I mean it to be a very engaging pamphlet. My own, own one, I wish I was with thee on thy birthday. I do want thee so very very much - Poo' owl - so
last + long without its Baby. I get quite hipped + out of spirits, owing to dull weather, rain, + no Baby.
Thine own Owl (underlined)' (ink)