There are only the three postal markings:- first a LIVERPOOL mileage datestamp Jun 10 1806 Rather poorly struck in faded red ink mileage mark not absolutely clear, but appears to be 206.
Second, an Edinburgh circular JUN 1806 13
third, a charge mark possibly 11 or 1/1. Elie is in the atlas, but it shown as ELY in Alan Robertson’s book. The distance is 439 and the Liverpool is 206 so the distance charged is 233 and that comes in the 230 - 300 miles section, and that would be charged as 11 pence.
This is a chatty letter to a family member, dated Jun 10 1806 from Liverpool
to Miss Wood,
Alexr Wood Esqr
Elie Fifeshire
It appears to be from her sister, Letitia McCorquodale but the language used seems more like that used to a friend.
The letter begins with a poem written out in full, but there is no author quoted
Lines on finding a daisy in full blow on Christmas Day.
There is a flower, a little flower with silver crest & golden eye
That welcomes every changing hour and weathers every sky
The prouder beauties of the field in gay but quick succession shine
race after race their honors yield they flourish & decline.
But this small flower to Nature dear, while moon & stars their courses run
Breathes the whole circle of the year companion of the sun
It smiles upon the lap of May to sultry August lends its charms
Lights pale October on its way and twines December’s arms.
The purple heath & golden broom, on moory mountains catch the gale
O’er lawns the lily sheds perfume the violet in the vale
But this bold flowret climbs the hill hides in the forest haunts the glen
Plays on the margin of the rill peeps round the fox’s den.
Within the gardens cultur’d bound it shares the sweet carnation’s bed
And blooms on consecrated ground in honor of the dead.
The lambkin cross the crimson gem the wild bee murmurs on its breast
The blue fly bends its pensile stemly right o’er the sky larks nest
Tis Flora’s page in every place in every season fresh & fair;
It opens with perennial grace and blossoms every where.
On waste & woodlands, rock & plain its humble buds unheeded rise
The rose has but a summer’s reign the daisy never dies.
So having copied out the poem, the letter begins
I was struck with the simplicity and beauty of these lines so much that I could not resist copying them for my dear Mary in the hope that they would also be admired by her. I know how much poetry is your taste and I wish you would cultivate it.
Have you seen Aikin on ‘Reading the British Poets’. He recommends beginning with Pope to give your ear the melody of sound. I am just now getting his Messiah, Universal Prayer which Mr. McC is quite delighted with. How well Eliza used to say those, I find I have half learnt them from her. This is a delightful evening we have just been admiring the sun setting in all its grandeur over the water, perhaps my dear friend has been contemplating it also.
I never knew Mary Anne so well as now, & I never knew a character improve so much as hers does from longer acquaintance. With strong feelings she possesses uncommon strength of mind which seems to fit her to bear misfortunes with dignity and calmness. She seems formed to go through this life & prepared for that which is to come.
Our little dwelling you wish I think to have some account of.it is in every respect a Cottage, no superfluous luxury or care seems to attend it. It seems formed for peace & harmony & its inhabitants I believe agree with the future. I do think it is a situation like this that Nature most formed us to enjoy, and “to enjoy is to obey” says Pope; a sentiment which I very much admire. How much room there is for reflection in this quiet retreat, it quite temporizes the mind, & leads it to virtue and calm resignation. I hope to hear that you take an interest in the garden; because I shall have no pleasure in doing so unless you have. We must go on with the same pursuits & that will make them doubly interesting to us both. Mr. McCorquodale is just come down, to our no small pleasure as we were not quite certain of him this evening. I never saw him in better health.
We both unite in heartfelt love & affection. Heaven Bless you,
My ever dear Mary,
With sisterly affection
Yours Lett. McCorquodale
On the outside of the letter is a note 