...  I got back from Liverpool on Monday.  When I called at the Museum on that morning a Dr. Palmer was there, who said, “I was in Taku Forts with your husband,” and was very friendly.  He gave me a prescription for neuralgia! and sent you his best remembrances.

First and last I have annexed one or two nice “bits of wool for our nest.”  For 8s. (a price for which I could not have bought the frame, a black one with charming old-fashioned gold-beading of this pattern) [sketch] I bought a real fine old soft mezzotint, after Sir Joshua Reynolds’ portrait of Richard Burke.  Oh, such a lovely face!  Looking lovelier in powder and lace frill.  But a charming thing, with an old-fashioned stanza in English deploring his early death, and a motto in Latin.  It was a great find, and I carried it home from the Pawnbroker’s in triumph!—­

I have got a very nice Irish anecdote for you from Mr. Shee: 

Two Irishmen (not much accustomed to fashionable circles) at a big party, standing near the door.  After a long silence: 

Paddy I.—­“D’ye mix much in society?”

P. II.—­“Not more than six tumblers in the evening.”

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S. John Evangelist, 1882.

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C. “dealt” for me for the old Japanese Gentleman (pottery) on whom I turned my back at L1.  He has got him for 15s. You will be delighted with him, and I have just packed him (and a green pot lobster!) in a box with sawdust.

Do you remember how your ‘genteel’ clerk’s wife came (starving) from Islington, or some such place, to us at Aldershot, and told me she had sold all her furniture (as a nice preparation to coming to free but empty quarters) EXCEPT her parlour pier-glass and fire-irons?

I sometimes feel as if I bought house plenishing that packed together about as nicely as that!!!  Witness my pottery old gentleman, and my bronze Crayfish....

December 20, 1882.

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I am so glad you like “Sunflowers and a Rushlight.”  It was very pleasurable work, though hard work as usual, writing it.  It was written at Grenoside, among the Sunflowers, and generally with dear old Wentworth, the big dog, walking after me or lying at my feet.

You may, or may not, have observed, that the Times critic says, that “of one thing there can be no doubt”—­and that is—­“Miss Ewing’s nationality.  No one but a Scotchwoman bred and born could have written the ‘Laird and the Man of Peace.’”

It is “rich in pawky humour.”  But if I can get a copy I’ll send it to you.  It is complimentary if not true!

I am putting a very simple inscription over our dear Brother.  Do you like it?

     TROUVE
commonly and justly called
      TRUE. 
FOUND 1869; LOST 1881,
by A.E. and J.H.E.