Letter from the Robinson Family papers, dated 1870-01-17

Nantucket Jan 17th 1870

My dear Anna It is time I was in bed, but I will not go up stairs this night, before I have written to thee, if only a dozen lines, thanking thee for those lovely paintings, thee sent us. Oh, thee doesn't know how much I enjoy them and how dearly I prize them!

How delightful it must be, this power of gratifying others; - and I, poor stick, have only the ability to be gratified - but that is better than nothing. Yes I thank God, humbly & sincerely that I can love and appreciate beauty, if I can not create it.

The children were delighted with theirs, & Ag. is quite crazy to go and do likewise, if she was awake she would send her thanks

I hear such bright, pleasant accounts from dear father. thy visit was a wonderful restoration; if one of us fain, could

only be with him all the time!

How dearly I would love to see thee and a nice, long talk with thee. I have such pleasant, loving memories of thee, such loving, pleasant thoughts of thee in the future, and I think Heaven that my dear brother has been so blessed.

And now as "my [good?] man" has gone to bed, and has a very bad cough, that will assuredly trouble him, if I wake him after he gets asleep - why I must betake myself to bed also.

So goodnight my dear Anna and believe me very affectionately Anne

No one knows the dark deed I am doing so none can send love. I picked these flowers in the garden on New Years day.