so. I have a man and keep him employed about fences and improving about the place. Old Willie Cooper came up to see me the other day and gave me a good deal of news. Poor old man he is a sta[un]ch friend of yours. I hope you will call on him when you come back. He was sorry you had not done so when he last passed but I told him the cause, the want of time. Mr Condie comes up on Sundays to see me and I get some news from him and Duff. The weather has been very much against operation in cultivating most all last month and part of this but its very fine this few days back but cold. We will have plenty of grass from appearances. I hope you hear from Alexr and that he is well. I was in the hope of having a few lines from you but I supose you have so much to do and bother einough still I would like a few lines. Of course Condie writes all the necessary news and the sale of some sheep to some digging butchers. I hope the market will improve. By all accounts it is likely to do so. They got in some bother with the steamer through some