[ Robert Scott Moncrieff of Fossaway, Perth, advocate, illustrator and caricaturist. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('R S M') to his mother, announcing in high-spirited terms the birth of his daughter Joanna.

3pp., 4to. Bifolium. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper, with slight damage to second leaf from breaking of wafer. Addressed on reverse of second leaf to 'Mrs. Scott Moncrieff | 7 Fores Stt. | Edinb.' Docketted on same page: '27 July 1833 | R S M | announcing Joanna's birth'. The letter begins: 'My dearest Mother | I beg that you wd. send for your best specks, and after cleaning them up and assembling all the sad lieges within reach read to them as follows - that you had a most promising young lady added to the numbers of your progeny at three oclock this morning, who with her mama are doing as well as possible. No doubt she did seem to feel a little disappointed that dear Grandmama Scott was not here to welcome her arrival which it is thought had been delayed on purpose that she might come out - but the explanation given was but too satisfactory, and her only wish (if she has one) is that you would take great care of yourself so as to be able soon to come out & have a croon with her'. He continues with a description of the birth and of his subsequent activities with his 'laddies'. The daughter would marry General J. A. Ballard, by whom she would have the future Royal Navy admiral George Alexander Ballard (1862-1948).