TC-[AG or FC] [AGIFCH], [ca. 12 July]. Pbd: Wilson, Carlyle 5:330. Text in Wilson is based on Charlotte Southam's recollection. Addressee possibly Alexander Gilchrist at no. 6, as JWC wrote later in the summer: “assure [Mrs. Southam] I had much more reliance on her than on Mr Gilchrist” (JWC to HL, [23? Aug.]). Francis Chalmer, the wealthy neighbor who lived at 3 Cheyne Row and was also listed along with Domenick Ronca at no. 4, fits Charlotte Southam's description more; she remembered that the neighbor was “ ‘something in the city’” whose “household had for years shown all the solid stiffness of the city snobs, and ignored the Carlyles as insignificant. By this time they had discovered the importance of some of the callers and decided the Carlyles were worth knowing, but ‘there was nothing doing,’ according to Charlotte” (Wilson, Carlyle 5:329). JWC was certainly on speaking terms with him (see JWC's Journal, 11 April 1856), but the Carlyles were friendly with the Gilchrists. Conjecturally dated by Wilson, placing it about two weeks after their arrival; TC had arrived at Humbie 24 June, and JWC, 28 June.

1. Elizabeth Southam.

2. Charlotte Southam remembered JWC laughing as she gave her the reply to post: “I don't know how I am ever to face the people next door again.” JWC told Charlotte that the neighbor had written that “while walking in his garden, he had noticed that windows in each room of our house were opened each day, but for some days lately one of the windows had not been opened, and he thought it was his duty to let Mr. Carlyle know. And can you guess, Charlotte, what Mr. C has written in his letter to him?” (Wilson, Carlyle 5:329–30).