[Letter addressed to:]
Major Grahame of Glenny
W. Kilbride
N.B. [North Britain, i.e. Scotland]
I rec'd your letter today stating you were about to forward the carpet &c but as they have not arrived here I hope they have not gone astray. I have just been asked by the President of Mess for five pounds which is the same that all young officers have to pay on joining. Formerly every young officer had to give five pounds worth of wine but now the five pounds is appropriated for the use of the mess viz: to buy wine glasses, table cloths &c, &c.
I have also to pay my mess bill this week. I have to give my servant two suits of [?]whites, one for attending mess and one for daily [?]use.
No one knows where we are going next but we must leave Dublin soon. Captn Campbell of this Regiment has taken a bet of £10 that our next foreign station is at India. It is generally thought we will go to Turkey. 40 men (prts) of this Regiment volunteered yesterday for the 79th but we have two hundred recruits which make up for the loss.
I have some difficulty in passing the Scotch notes. A post office order would be better.
My dear Father
Affectionately yours
N. Grahame
PS The carpet &c has just arrived. I have not yet opened the parcel.