p.

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