Correspondence (outgoing)

Florence Italy Feb 25th / 84

My very dear young friends Tim & May -

To tell you how pleased I feel to know you both give me kind thoughts is a pleasant duty. On our arrival here four days ago a package met my eye addresssed to me and when the lovely Muchoir Case and sweet note was handed me I felt that amid all the dark clouds that surrounded us, there was one with a silver lining. Accept my tenderest love for this token of love.

We came here from Rome with our darling boy quite ill. He had complained while we were at Athens, and

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to us well as he is. We had fixed on the 3rd of April for leaving Liverpool, but now all will depend upon Lelands state of health. We have not given up the hope of leaving at the time named. I have heard through my brother of the returne [sic] to Cal of dear Mrs Hopkins and her kindness in taking with her my sister. I am surprised that she cared to go when we were not there, to have her with us.

I am pleased to know Mr Mases has married, and thank him for our cards telling of the fact.

Mr Stanford joines [sic] me in sending warmest friendship for you both - and remember us kindly to your dear Aunt - Mrs. Hopkins - ever your friend

Jane L. Stanford

again at Naples he was sick enough to be in bed for a few days, we hastened from this unhealthy city to Rome, he appeared for a few days better, but I doubted the propriety of staying in this city and persuaded Mr Stanford to allow me to come on here - and had I delayed coming one day, he could not have been moved. As it was we had to bring him in a Saloon Car, with a bed in it. A Physician met me at the Hotel and took charge of him immediately, and after two days he pronounced it a mild case of Typhoid fever. We have been here five days, and Leland is nearly at the highest point. The doctor thinks he will be confined for four

weeks even under the most favourable circumstances - of course dear friends I am sorely troubled and the cup is full of sorrow, but I have had so much sickness and so much to distress me the past two years, I have turned for comfort to the Giver of both good, and evil, and my faith has increased and now again I turn to him with entreties [sic] to save to me my darling boy. It has been prayer that has restored and given back to me my eye sight -and Prayer gave back the present health of Mr Stanford - he is not his old self entirely, he has pains and aches and looks fully his sixty years, but we are thankful that he

Washington Jan 29th /86- 1701 K St

My dear Friend May

Mrs. T. Hopkins

A longer time has elapsed than I intended before writing you. My thoughts have gone so often back to dear Menlo and travelled through your grounds, your sweet house, also through the lovely grounds of our friend and neighbour Mrs. Flood and through our own dear place. I am there in thought more than anywhere else, for there is no dearer place here on earth to us. My sister is still here with us, but will leave within

vast extent I wonder how the recipients live through such uncesing [sic] dissipation - Mr Stanford accepted an invitation to a dinner of Mr Dolph's to meet the Pacific Coast delegation. To-day Mr Stanford issued invitations to the Coast delegation fourteen in number to dine with us on the eighth (8th) of Feb. I received yesterday a welcom [sic] letter from your Aunt I was glad she kept us fresh in her memory, we cant spare our places in the hearts of our friends, we need them one cant feel sure of many true friends at our age - we hold them as precious. The storms have been very severe with you, we have read the papers with interest concerning them. The winter here has been unlike many in its snow falls being severe, we have had our sleigh out four times, an unusual pleasure for Washingtonians. It storms to-day snow and rain falling, but we Anna and I have concluded to go and hear Blind Tom play on the Piano he gives a public concert this afternoon. I hope dear May you received in [safety?] the Toilet set sent you when I visited N.Y. during the holidays, it struck me as being your color and it was new in style and I thought you would like it. Remember us most kindly to dear Tim, I love to think I can address him lovingly. He has won me by his kindness always to Mr Stanford and myself and you too dear May

With love and kisses for you from

Jane L. Stanford