9 September 1867 Doonside My dear Donald I received both your kind notes. In your last you wonder at my not writing to you. I did so but the first letter got mislaid for which I was sorry for as I felt I had a right to acquaint you of the sad fire in the first place. Indeed my first impression was to have gone to Wellington to see you and I was very near doing so overland till I thought I might as well let Kate