Dear Miss Faithfull. I think the flask ought to have reached you by this time. But its departure was delayed many days owing to my being too ill to attend to anything, so it is my own fault, if anybody's. I got better for a day or so after I came Home. But I seem somehow at the end of my tether as regards health. I suspect that I and my difficulties will mutually dispose of each other about the same time. However between the two the sounds grow better & better which is a comfort. Do you know, that it made a great improvement on me meeting you at Whittinghame. I dare say I didn't show it, for I am in that condition when all things seem dim and dream like. But I seemed to be in the presence of the old familiar form and voice of one that I had such reason to love long ago. before I dreamt of such a great burden coming upon me - and it seemed quite natural too, in the dark hour that comes before the Dawn. I have an urge to go to Sir Fred [Onseley?] about the 22nd Dec. if Arthur Balfour can come South [stuck down] would you tell him this. Ever yrs faithfully James Ballie Hamilton.
Written at Greenwich Park.