I have just received your long and kind letter dated 22nd January². I just arrived here yesterday having been on leave in Ayrshire for three weeks. And as I may not have another opportunity of writing to you for some time (The Regiment having received orders to proceed to "China" next week) I will devote my attention for an hour or two in writing to you.

The Irvine people gave me a grand reception on the 6th inst. presented me with the Freedom of the Burgh and a very handsome sword³. My Father and John were present upon the Auspicious occasion. I had to make a speech which I stammered through the best way I could, the ladies were melted into tears, so I was told, at all events they showed their approbation by Waiving their handkerchiefs and I assure you it is most gratifying to the feelings of a young soldier to see so many of the fair sex approve of his humble services - in fact it is quite enough to stimulate him to any act of Chivalry. By today's Gazzette [ sic ] John has exchanged into the 18th Foot (Royal Irish) perhaps he would have been better in the 27th, however I hope he may like home soldiering better than I do. The last report is that we are to embark on Tuesday first but I don't think it is at all likely as the ships are not quite prepared to receive us. It was only the other day we received orders to hold ourselves in readiness for Persia but those orders have been cancelled. Our Mess is now broken up and everything being packed up, the 23rd, 82nd and 90th with a thousands Marines are all to embark at the same time. I rejoice at the prospect of seeing active service again I'm sure to get my Company - at the same time had I been allowed to remain in Ayrshire I might have carried on a very successful Campaign regarding Mary Jane, the last time I saw her she was in very delicate health and all the children had hooping cough, I believe she intends going to Sea Mill [near West Kilbride (Ed.)] this summer where I hope she may recover. She seems quite regardless of her health and takes no-one's advice, never thinking of the misery her death would cause to her young family - however I hope she will recover next summer.

I believe Mrs MacLaren did receive letters from you, but you must not expect ever to hear from her as it takes her two days to write half a page. I used to write to her often from the Crimea and only received one letter from her. I write to her as a matter of duty and never expect her to answer my letters. She often talks about you and Fraser and if you think of sending home your children she shall take charge of them as a Mother.

[Note 1: Some or all of the children in this FRASER family emigrated to Canada by the late 1880s. More information about them to be found here soon.
Note 2: Assuming that it took as long for Nicol's letter to reach his sister in India as it did for her letter of 22 January to reach him in England (i.e. 6½ weeks), then Nicol's letter should have arrived with her just a couple of weeks before the outbreak of the Mutiny in May 1857. (She must have received it safely for the letter to have survived.)
Note 3: The sword was apparently in the hands of a collector in the London area until recent years when it was stolen. Present whereabouts unknown. Please contact me [email protected] if you have any more information.]

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