My dear Fanny, Very late as it is to offer them, I beg you will receive my heartfelt congratulations on the birth of your dear boy. May he be Spared to you your life long, and be a comfort always. I was so hoping you would have a son. Three Sisters were surely in need of a brother, and truly it must have been pleasant to you all that one was given.

And how famously you were recovering your strength. I was rejoiced to hear of it. Now I am thinking of you as in the midst of cold weather, and enjoying it, too. I daresay you would not exchange it with me for these beautiful Summer days. Nor would I consent, Fanny my dear, for I like the warm air best. And it is so charming to see flowers and green trees the whole year round. I never never tire of it, or wish that we had

the home-changes of Season.
     It is a week now since we came back from our charming sojourn among the hills. I cannot tell you how much we enjoyed it. Never was there a more picturesque country, I am sure, and the walks and rides round about the village we were in are perfectly innumerable. Every morning & afternoon we spent so many happy hourse exploring them, but we left them Still quite unexplored when the three weeks were

gone. I had meant to tell you more about everything, and am grieved that I must send you now such a hurried scrap of a note.
Please remember me to your husband, dear Fanny, and give much love to your daughters. Tell Nina I, too, am delighted with that incident about the "rosettes." Kisses to the little man, and a deal of love to his Mamma from her faraway Sister,

Nellie