My nephew and I were sorry not to find you at home yesterday, Captain Brown sent you enclosed letters of your brothers, which you had expressed a wish to have. My nephew had to leave for Glasgow this morning and sails for New Zealand again in a fortnight. It was a sore disappointment on his arrival home to find aunt had died just a few days before as she had been the only mother he ever knew. I hope you found Mrs [Servier?] well. Loch Lomond will be looking its best these fine days.

With kindest regards
Yrs affectionately
E.[?] [McLaren?]

[Note: "Mrs BOYD" is Mary Jane nee GRAHAME, Nicol's sister. Mary Jane married Archibald HUNTER, a calico printer. Her many children included my great-grandmother Helen Graham HUNTER and Major General Sir Archibald HUNTER GCB DSO MP. Mary Jane remarried twice after her first husband's death, including a Mr BOYD.]

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