| Description | Letter to Alexander Macdonald of Kepplestone from A.N. [Nicolson], Kirkcudbright, apologising for delay in replying to Macdonald's enquiry about 'young Nicol [J. Watson Nicol - see DD391/13/18/20/1], some information about common oaths amongst Highlanders, principally in the form of swearing on a drawn dirk and kissing it, but saying that an artist could use his imagination on the subject as little is definitely known, looking forward to visiting Kepplestone, Seton Cottage and Crown Street, 'The killing of McCraw went to my heart. Foul bloody and unnatural murder! All along of that little villain Smith, who suggested it, as well as caused it. But I did it as gently as I could, and as cleanly', and reference to a sketch, 24 June 1880 |