Dalmuir Hill June 29th 1850 My dear Mr McLean I received your note this evening with much pleasure although you deserve a scold for again reminding me of the unfortunate handkerchief. I suppose you never intend to forget it. I do not think that you allowed a day to pass when here without bringing it to my remembrance. I have sent the words of "Kathleen Mavourneen" which I promised to copy so you see that although you say "My procrastination in performing the most trifling duties it sometimes very great" yet I have not been three months in copying this song. As I have been only out once since you left I have heard no news which I could give except that they talk of getting up another ball and that Mrs Fitzgerald is going to give a dance next week but I think you heard of her party before you went away. I wonder that the people here do not get tired of those constant balls and parties. It appears to me to be very foolish in a colony to spend so much money and time on amusements. I do not mean to say that we should never have balls here, far from it. They can do no harm in moderation and no one can enjoy them more than I do sometimes but I do not like them so often. Two public balls in a year are I think quite sufficient, besides I think that those private meetings of friends are always infinitely more agreeable. Although I miss you and feel lonely sometimes, still I am much more happy and contented than I was when you were away before for now I feel assured of your affection for me and know that no absence will ever cause you to forget me. I also look forward with much pleasure to the end of two months when I hope we shall have the happiness of meeting again. I must now conclude my letter as it is nearly Sunday morning. Mama sends her kindest regards and in hopes of hearing from you soon. Believe me my dear Mr McLean Your affectionate Susan D Strang [Note on transcription: "Kathleen Mavourneen" was a song written in 1837 composed by Frederick Nicholls Crouch with lyrics by Marion Crawford. Popular during the American Civil War. Mavourneen is a term of endearment derived from Irish Gaelic mo mhuimin, meaning 'my beloved'.]