Letter from Anna Mary Howitt, London, to Barbara Leigh Smith Bodichon, 1848 January 5 : autograph manuscript signed.

Writing to share that Barbara's note and present arrived; relaying that Charlton's friend "Ocky", or Octavia Hill (1838-1912), is coming to visit for Charlton's birthday and he is delighted; expressing gratitude for the beautiful loving spirit in Barbara's letters, and noting how Alfred laughs because Barbara's letters bring tears to her eyes; sending love to Bell (Isabella Leigh Smith); sharing that they are interested in "the ghost story" and the uncanniness of Crowhurst, a house near Hastings visited by the Howitts in 1845; describing how her mother saw Margaret Gillies the other day, and though she looked ill, she has just begun a portrait of Mr. Chadwick; asking if she had read Tennyson's new poem.