Volume 80: Lady Sarah Macarthur letters to Elizabeth Macarthur-Onslow, 1863-1890

and thereby gain some thing for himself – his uncle in giving it to him – was alone guided by good heartedness – for he did not think he was wise in yeilding [yielding] to the wish he should have it – fearing he was not capable – William always repeats and re-repeats – that his illlnesses are magnified by his own want of care of himself – and poor thing shd Wm be correct in calling his fits epileptic he is utterly gone – Mentally & bodily – We owe Mr Chisholm more than we can express I hope he may find your Uncle's offer worth accepting – and take the whole Agency – if not we must fix on another –

Some time ago we had the Cartes of Mr Harrisons pictures of us sent – they are I should suppose as like the Emperor of China – & his better half as they are to us – I hope the Pictures may be better at any rate they were pretty to look at – and will ornament the room – I have been investing lately

in some Japanese curiosities – China & inlaid small cabinets – and some other nick nacks – which I am told are very pretty – but as I wont see them for some time I must imagine their beautis [beauties] they go direct to London from Liverpool and we cannot get home before the 1st Decr we post this letter in Glasgow on our way to Culcreuch – where I hope we may meet their constant Autumn guest Adml Erskine – we are to be there till the end of the week (Friday) on Saturday – we spend the day paying accts and clearing ourself out of here which we leave on Monday, spend a fortnight between my mother & Hart and then go to the neighbourhood of Darlington – after a few day [days] cross to Cholmondely – then after a little go to my sister Maggie near Stroud & then to Home – I fear much I wont have time to write Isabella Chisholm but I shall if I can – We spent some days

last week in this neghbourhood [neighbourhood] when we met some freinds [friends] of Mr. Peter's they had just returned from visiting him at Kinrara – they were enchanted with its beauties had been there 10 days & had had uninterrupted sunshine and such splendid scenery and delightful excursions – Sir S: Donaldson had been there then – he could hardly have got home before he had another pre son [person] to welcome The Macleays had been unfortunate in weather wet & very cold when she was there & she had to move South –

I heard from yr Aunt Emmeline the other day she was very well but she may probably be writing you herself – I sent yr Journal of Fashions off by this mail I hope I put on the proper amount of stamps ignorance and a paucity of them obliged me to confine myself to 4 – being all I

then had – we are 2 miles from the post and the day a pour – we shall be nearer the Post office by next time and I shall then do the correct thing –

I think you may thank your stars that the mail goes but once a month if you are to have such vols of nonsense always from me you must rejoice to see a finish – and read that both of us send many many affte loves to each and of all of your dear circle

& love dear Elizabeth believe me Yr loving Auntie Sally –

Friends came yesterday & were here from 11- to 5- which quite put a stop to my writing to Isabella – she shall have a letter next time –

Sunday 23d Ocr we start tomorrow for Sterlingshire at 8- 40 –

[pencil] re Mrs. Macarthur's Portrait

18" Decr [pencil] 1864?

My dear Elizabeth –

I begin so that I may send this by the Southampton – as your Uncle wishes to send some seeds given him by Mr Spiers of Culcreuch – which he thought would suit yr soil – should there be a letter from either Jas Bowman – or Mr Chisholm I mean Jas Chisholm, by the Southampton then we may most likely write by the Marseilles – it gets very weary the non hearing of it from Jas Bowman – by the July mail from Sydney came an in complete & very unsatisfactory acct of rents received & many not received – with not one line from himself – the last letter we had from him was dated last April – but as there is no use discussing such subjects here – I shall begin and give you all the news I can –

We have had our more than usual share of foggy weather – and tho' now quite well – we have all had

best love to all and a large supply to Isabella Chisholm to whom I am not going to write this mail ever believe me your affte Aunt Sarah Macarthur

Our Pictures look so pretty now they are framed & hung up – I do not say very beautiful likenesses – but by & bye when the actual present is forgotten – they will tell a flattering tale – Yr Aunt E: & I went to Days for yr grand mothers picture – you had said Regent St which had been a puzzle but easily found

When I went with her – Miss Day at once knew the