TALBOT3053

Markeaton ¹
Monday evening
Janry 12^th

My dear Papa,

I arrived here on Saturday quite safely and comfortably, having left Dumfries at 7 in the morning, when it was quite dark. Tilly ² accompanied me to the station. We had been the evening before to a harp concert – Aptommas ³ being the solo performer, but the audience was not numerous – only about half a dozen benches full. We dined with M^r & M^rs Hope = he, you probably know, is under sheriff of Dumfries. Every body was well at Dabton, ⁴ except Mimay ⁵ who had an attack of nettle rash, which had kept her 2 days in bed, but I have since heard from Tilly that she is better. – The two last days at Dabton were very fine: it is far colder and more wintry-looking here, and the house is very cold – Noel & Emily ⁶ are very busy preparing for a village ball which they are going to give in the school room tomorrow and I have been assisting to make paper flowers &c, for decorations – I shall start for London tomorrow at 12.30, and hope to arrive at half past four, & I shall post this at the station that you may know that I have reached my journey’s end in safety.

I find all the guards and people so remarkably civil, especially when they see a lady travelling alone, & I have no trouble at all with my luggage.

The guard of the Carlisle train volunteered most useful advice when he found the train I ought to have caught at Crewe was gone, and pointed out the best road for me, a very odd one, that I should not have discovered for myself; first to Stafford, and then to Lichfield & Derby, which though it looks so round-about, really saved an hour, instead of waiting for the next direct train.

I hope you do not find it so cold at Lacock this time, at least there is no post.

My pen is so bad that I am afraid you will hardly be able to read, so I will say goodbye, as it is very late.

Your affectionate daughter
Rosamond

Some snowdrops were open at Dabton.