Autograph Letter Signed from Robert M. Ballantyne to his wife Jane Grant ("my darling Jeanie"), giving her all the news - "Mrs Hislop ... is chatting beside me with Isabella so it's not easy to write ... Last night we all went to the Tempce conversazione in the Museum, and on presenting my card I was received as a 'distinguished guest'!!! so I hope you are properly impressed. It was a great turn out with band and pipers, but the speaking was not audible ... I was surprised at suddenly meeting young Perkins who is studying here ... I also met and was introduced to a lot of people who knew me as a storyteller ... Our 'delegates' are queer, amiable cockneys, very Geo Barclay like, and the man is even smaller than G.B. I am going ... to see the Forth Bridge with them as they will be shown all over the works by an official. ... I've agreed to address Carrubber's Close ...Marcus Dods is to precede me, so I'm in good (or bad?) company. After I come in from D. Chalmers on Thursday I go with Wm & Isa to No. 2 M. Ho Rd to tea ... Last night I saw the Walter Patons. They are kind. Poor Walter has been very ill ... but his wife is bright & good as ever. They both send 'love' to you ... Left cards on Sir Noel Tulach, Sir D. McLagen, J. H. A. McD and saw Jane Scott & her sister. Now I'm going to see about Ted's birth certificate ... your loving husbd RMB ... " with a postscript sending love to the household and looking forward to returning to "home sweet home". Written at 31 Chalmers St, Edinburgh, on a Tuesday, no year.