18th July 1842
My Dear Margaret,
Deeply sensible of my ineptitude for the task I have undertaken but still feeling it incumbent upon me to acknowledge in some way or other your goodness in making mention of me in your friend's favor, and farther trusting that your good sense will overlook all intromisions, I venture without further preliminary to proceed. Though Something like an apology seems necessary for thus imposing upon your good nature by troubling you with such a scroll from me, much cannot reasonably be expected from one in my capacity. Flattery is a most detestable thing, therefore in this case I wish to avoid it and speak exactly as I think, feeling myself highly influenced in your favour I cannot altogether refrain from opening my mind to you as if regardless of the consequences.
Whatever I think I expose fearlessly and boldly as a man ought, but still love is of a curious nature and dangerous to meddle with, as Baldy says in his solilogy "It's mour than Hell I canna beart to be see brunt wi love and dare na tell't". But thats a state your devoted servant could not submit to, for with me, whatevers in must come out. But the night is getting as dark as my subject and must postpone the conclusion of this till tomorrow, and retire to dream of your highly fascinating charms, curious and irregular are my ideas at present. So good night for the present, smiling at my own weakness but human nature is very subject to that failing when truly exposed it might become me much better to shed a tear at parting so formally, but Prudence forbids.
Good Morning Miss. I hope you are well today. I've had such sweet visions of futurity that things connected with the present had almost escaped my memory but still I find it true that I am alone, single, unmarried, unconnected as yet with any nearer or dearer than my mother, and consequently not the father of a small family, how long this state of things may continue, it completely puzzles my comprehension to determine, perhaps you can aid me in arriving at the conclusion of such a highly conjectural speculation.
I have never said a word about your visit to Glasgow, the commercial metropolis of Scotland. I hope you are enjoying yourself to the utmost. Forgive my uncommonly strange expressions as I expect none will ever see them but yourself, just done as much for our mutual diversion as anything. It does not become young people to be too serious about things. Nevertheless, in me anxiety prevails most predominantly for your welfare, and your return to Aberdeen. I hope therefore you will relieve my overburdened mind by complimenting me with a small memorial from your Ladyship. I will expect in it a reprimand for my impudence and lofty assumptions. No doubt you will think I have a good cheek. I cannot help it however. According to the nature of yours in return, if you will confer on me the favour shall my style either in writing or speaking be regulated in future. I should have said much more but you see it necessary for me to close so in full expectation of an answer to this I am,
Dearest Margaret
(Will I say)
Your Future Husband
Wm. Morrison
P.S. I have exercised familiarity in calling you Margaret as it is my best name for Dearest Sister. W.M.
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