Gilmore Place

Edinburgh 30th. July 1846

My Dear Friend Mary—I have just bought a beautiful and somewhat costly manifold letter writer—it enables me to write two letters at one time so that I may always retain a copy of what I write. I am just now trying my hand and thus far I feel quite encouraged. I find I must be very careful what I writemlest I set down something which upon mature reflection I may regret. Having thus promised I may venture to speak to you. If it were allowable and in good taste. I would try to tell you how much I feel indebeted to your self and Dear Sisters for the many pleasant moments I spent in your society during my late visit to Belfast. I was not as happy as I expected to be. I confess my spirit was marred by the malignant slanders of Dr. Smyth. I ought not to have permitted this to have disturbed me, but one cannot always command their feelings. I shall lecture in this city tomorrow evening on the subject of West India emancipation this being near the anniversary of that glorious event. I shall leave here on Saturday for New Castle on Tyne. I may go from there to Bristol and it may be from there to London in the hope of meeting friend Garrison. I return again to Scotland on the 14 Aug. Make my love—to Eliza[,] Letitia[,] Dora—Your father and all the family.

Sincerely

F Douglass