Your letter dated 14th August from Peshawar informing me that you Archibald and the boy are all well, afforded me much real pleasure; and I hope teething and the little troubles that children at his time of life are liable to will be easily passed over. I do not know how the small Pox is manag’d in India but I suppose similar to what it is in this country; that is by inoculation. Is there no way of warding off these troublesome insects the Sandflies - the natives of every country I have serv’d in have some mode of their own, to prevent their being so much annoy’d as strangers are. It may be by anointing the face and hands with some kind of oil, or ointment, which might be washed off in the morning. I have no doubt but the savages in some countries who besmear their bodies with [...] and other substances; have very good reasons of their own for adopting that which appears to us very strange and however strange their habits may appear to us, experience has taught them their advantages.

I’ll say no more about Sandflies I have felt their Bite. Yet I am hale and hearty and could walk with great ease 20 miles a day have a good appetite and age has not yet bent me down like most grave looking characters of my time of life. The Season of Bathing is now nearly over, but while it lasted I swam about like a Salmon, with the crowd of Bathers at Portobello. Uncle William sometime took a Warm Bath within doors he’s much bent down with age, and failing very fast. His memory is sadly gone yet he will still argue about things that seem in his mind. He told me lately that he saw a huge large Whale walking up Princes Street - on my saying it was impossible, he repeated, that it was a very uncommon fine one, and belonged to Duncan’s Highland Regt. I knew at once that he alluded to the Elephant that once belonged to the 78th Regt.

I shall be very glad to hear by your next letter that Duncan has got out of the sick list. I fear his hunting so much does not strengthen his constitution. I am much pleased to hear that John is so well, and healthy. Should he become Interpreter to the 27th it will be a something, yet people cannot always command the obtaining a situation, they sometimes go by favour, and I shall be glad to hear from you or himself on the subject. He is very kind in writing me regularly.

I had a letter from Mary Jane this Week. She has got her New House in [Preston?], and I have a kind invitation to see them all, and a spare room will be kept for me. When the winter begins to get sharp in a few months I may move southward.

I had a letter from Robert by last mail he says he never enjoyed better health and is able to save a little money. I sent him some articles by Mr Taylor a friend of Arch’d Hunter who went to Australia as a Mercht. Robert states that he has neither got the things, I sent him, nor has he been able to find out Taylor, but will advertise him in the Melbourne Newspapers to find out his whereabout. There is a singular coincidence in this affair Mary Jane stated in her letter that Mr Taylor wrote Arch’d by last mail saying that he had call’d frequently at Roberts address Collins St and the answer was that Mr Graham had not been there for 12 months. I know Robert has changed his lodgings, at same time he is determined to look after Mr Taylor. His address is Mr R Graham Mr Milns Box 495 Post Office Melbourne. Mr Milns has his own box for which he pays £5 per ann - allows all Roberts letters to be put in it - and they are certain of being [...] every Week.

I hear from Nicol who is quartered in the Royal Barracks Dublin. He is now second Senr Ens in the 90th if not Senior by last [...?], he has been very fortunate [?] - he says if he has his Lieutny he would be a Captain in four years - this is talking very Big. The Regt is under Orders for India if their destination is not changed to Turkey, in consequence of a great battle that has been fought at Alma against the Russians, in which the allied Army was Victorious, but has suffered a very severe loss of Officers and Men - 26 Officers Killed and 73 wounded 306 Rank & file Killed, 1427 Rank and File Wounded. Alma is short distance from the Seaport Town of Sebastopol which we are at present Besieging - Marshall St Arnaud the Commr of the Allied army died after the Battle of a former complaint. I shall not close this letter for a day or two as the Telegraph brings daily news from London.

13th October. There is no confirmation of the Capture of Sebastopol [...] the siege is going on. The Queen slept last night at Holyrood on her return from Balmoral. She left the Palace this morning for London at 10 o’clock. The Castle Guns are Booming away.

With kindest regards to Arch’d and my dear little (grandchild) I ever remain your