to Miss Ferrier

Bonallie Towers, Bournemouth, November 12, 1884.

MY DEAR COGGIE,—Many thanks for the two photos which now decorate my room.  I was particularly glad to have the Bell Rock.  I wonder if you saw me plunge, lance in rest, into a controversy thereanent?  It was a very one-sided affair.  I slept upon the field of battle, paraded, sang Te Deum, and came home after a review rather than a campaign.

Please tell Campbell I got his letter.  The Wild Woman of the West has been much amiss and complaining sorely.  I hope nothing more serious is wrong with her than just my ill-health, and consequent anxiety and labour; but the deuce of it is, that the cause continues.  I am about knocked out of time now: a miserable, snuffling, shivering, fever-stricken, nightmare-ridden, knee-jottering, hoast-hoast-hoasting shadow and remains of man.  But we’ll no gie ower jist yet a bittie.  We’ve seen waur; and dod, mem, it’s my belief that we’ll see better.  I dinna ken ‘at I’ve muckle mair to say to ye, or, indeed, onything; but jist here’s guid-fallowship, guid health, and the wale o’ guid fortune to your bonny sel’; and my respecs to the Perfessor and his wife, and the Prinshiple, an’ the Bell Rock, an’ ony ither public chara’ters that I’m acquaunt wi’.

R. L. S.