Autograph letter signed : Abbotsford [near Melrose], to the Marchioness of Abercorn, 1820 Oct. 26.

Responding to her letter from Lauzanne, hoping that she "will find that benefit from change of scene faces & language which on your return enable you to feel yourself more at ease in your native country" and alluding to her grief ; remarking that his family is "much diminished" by Sophia's marriage, Walter's residence in Ireland for his military career, and his younger son's recent departure to England for school; reporting that Sophia and Lockhart spent much of the summer at Abbotsford and praising his son-in-law; describing a recent riding accident; saying he is glad that she is accompanied by the Kembles, but regretting that the British stage has been deprived of Charles Kemble; mentioning that they had several English visitors during the summer; saying he cannot write about politics without endangering the safe arrival of the letter; promising to send her a book; mentioning a neighbor's dog which is far inferior to his own.