Autograph letter signed : [n.p.], to her father, [1848 end of Aug. or beginning of Sept.]

Saying she is much distressed by his letter, just received. Mr. Ruskin's letter expresses what she has told John for some time, though she believes Mr. Ruskin to be kinder than his word. She will not permit him to set the terms upon which she sees her brother. It is the Ruskins' business that they never see their relations, but she is different and will have George with her a great deal. Her husband and his parents may restrict her general acquaintance but not her conduct with her own family. Her father should remember that Mr. Ruskin saw George while he was at Charter House and had faults which he is now rid of. It would be no misfortune for her to lose "high positions" and society, and she would rather lose them than her family. Railroad property seems to lose daily so that the Bank is always a larger creditor. She and John agree that Mr. Burns is afraid of losing his situation if her father failed and so supports him in hope of amendment. She thinks her father should do what he considers right and that it would be better to fail than to pass another winter like the last. The suspense has such a dreadful effect on his mind that she is "terrified" for his health, the suffering being also very dangerous for her mother. Her father's failure would not help George get a situation, but she and John would help to make them comfortable in a small house. She deeply sympathizes with his misfortunes and trials, and would do anything in her power to help him. Do not mind what men say: see Peter iv:12-13. The state of Aunt Jessie is alarming, but writing John, Mr. Ruskin says that today the account is better.