Dear Cedric,
How felicitous I am to have received you letter! I was in ernest to hear of your intriguing interlude with the elusive Mr Burlap of Alder Cresent and may surmise that you are currently engaged in a most deep study of aforesaid mechanicle. I am on tenterhooks to be enlightened in due course. I have heard it said of Widdershanks that there is a most excellent establishment where a gentleman may enjoy a well stored claret which shews most exquisite colour and palate. I heartily persuade you, upon breaking from your investigations, to frequent this place and report as to their qualities.
As to my ‘recent adventures’, oh indeed! Would that I could acquire some mechanical contraption to capture the essence of the locales! How vast the landscapes! How bright the skies! How effervescent the waters! You may note that mine hand also suffers the tremens when I recall the sights and sounds, dear cousin.
Upon arriving at the first encampment we were met from our arduous initial pathfinding by a most welcome repast of cooked meats in the local style and a fortifying beverage, which I must admit I was to become increasingly fond of during my stay. The local savages refer to it as Lumi and though I was assured there were little or no addictive properties, I fear the taste did suit my palate efficiently so as to make it my first and last thought of the day. I have procured several cases of the stuff, which I am transporting via Liverpool and which I hope shall arrive before our next encounter. I expect you shall find it as pleasant as I!
You will now admit how fortuitous indeed it was that upon waking I was rewarded with the sight of the rare Rangociferous Blerisinia (Mr Derwent, in his Bestiaria Mysteria, counts them as one of the three most evanescent of the sub-Capricornian winged species) almost immediately upon rising to break my fast, which comprised several fruits (which I discovered growing upon the boughs of trees surrounding our encampment) and a strange sort of bread, which the savages call broch. In my haste to draw this specimen I quite forgot my appetite, (which you will note is most unlike your cousin) though the splendid hues of his (for I am most convinced it was the male by the prominent trio of horns upon his brow) feather and scales were lacking from my watercolours and thus I was forced to sketch a poor comparison in ink, which I have attached. You will be heartened to hear, though, that I made expedient provision of the fleet footed local and sent poste-haste for a new selection of coloris magia, which better allowed me to record these wondrous beasts.
It may becoming apparent that I pen this missive in the hour before Mrs Blenkinsop servs luncheon and that my stomach is most persistent in my memories of the Perandian forests! Thus I shall draw to a close and leave you with my sincerest good wishes for a prosperous examination of your recent acquisition.
With fond regards, in darkness and in light
Wilbur
