Letter from Anna Mary Howitt, London, to Barbara Leigh Smith Bodichon, 1855 January 1 : autograph manuscript signed.

Wishing Barbara and Nanny a happy new year; asking them about Italy and describing her own dread of hearing about Italian scenery, because she herself has been yearning to see new landscapes, though she rejoices to think of their dear hearts enjoying it; asking after Barbara's health and hoping that “no news is good news”; describing the weather in London as mild, wet, and dirty; describing numerous guests coming through The Hermitage; describing feeling a great sense of peace in staying home, and feeling happy to see her father in good health, and he is working on a book; describing how she felt a sense of expectation, which turned into joy/relief after a delay; describing her state of mind regarding her artwork -- “only its imperfections stare out at me until I feel sick”; feeling that she must be hard of heart and ungrateful, but hoping that her gratitude will show itself in future work; describing the joys of creating art for someone she really likes; asking her if Italy feels full of possibilities and wishing she could fly over to meet her; describing two ideas for pictures that she has been thinking about. Letter continues on January 5: describing how things have been going on in their usual "jog-trot" way. Meg, Charlton, and their friend have been sight-seeing; describing the news, including the Crimean War; describing recent callers.