How would you like the place. I fear you will not be easily moved from your present quarter. Goodbye dearest and excuse a note written on a small corner of a table with bad ink worse light and smoking and chatting going on - What a long letter I expect in return for my two both written within a week. Remember me to Jessie. In case my own little pet may be short of money because Papa supplies her I send £3 that I do not particularly require. God bless you. Take care of yourself. Mind your duty to God and your parents and you will ever command the esteem of your afft. husband Donald McLean [On verso in pencil] Let me hear how the ball went off or whether any of the ladies had the bad taste to ask you to go with them when Mama's illness, throwing aside my absence, should entirely check such ridiculous liberties. You must now have an independent will of your own that is not to be ruled by friends who wish to gratify their own vanity at your expense. Since your late illness arose from an ill-managed ill-advised ball you need not wonder if I am cautious to avoid a recurrence of such a misfortune. Goodbye again. I have been adding constantly as ideas struck me but now I must really close. [Note on transcription: Mr Bidwell is Charles Robert Bidwill, 1820-1884.]