Autograph letter signed : Edinburgh, to the Marchioness of Abercorn, [1824] Mar. 4.

Responding to her complaints about his silence by noting that he wrote a very long letter addressed to her at Rome, which she never received; chiding her for not even writing short letters to let him know that she is well and changing addresses; refuting some gossip regarding an anonymous author (Scott himself) entering into a contract to produce a certain number of novels within a given time, and refuting that he is the author of the novels she mentioned. Responding to her inquiries about his children: reporting on Walter's advancing career in the military; mentioning that his younger son Charles has entered Brasenose for the October term; noting that Sophia's first child was delivered prematurely and that her second child died in infancy; remarking that his younger daughter "my black-eyed lassie is dancing away merrily and I believe generally though handsome but her hour if it ever comes is not come yet;" reporting that his brother Tom has died and mentioning wife and children. Sending a copy of Lockhart's book on Spanish literature. Responding that he cannot send her a copy of Lawrence's portrait of him because it is not yet completed due to the fact that they never settled on a costume; discussing his reluctance to be painted in a Highland dress; remarking that the painting may never be finished because he does not know when he will next be in London, noting that "all whom I knew and loved are dead or dispersed;" hoping she will visit Scotland when she returns to Britain.