Letter from Anna Mary Howitt, London, to Barbara Leigh Smith Bodichon, 1845? : autograph manuscript signed.

Telling Barbara not to worry about returning her spectacles; sending her a ticket for Spencer Hall's Mesmeric Lectures; stating that even though she does not expect her to believe what she sees, it is beautiful and curious; asking her not to be disgusted with Spencer Hall's "provincialisms"; noting that it sounds like they agree on Emerson's Lecture; describing how Barbara's letter arrived when she was sitting at tea in the garden, and the calmest evening was above her; noting that her father came home with both good and bad news about their finances; asking Barbara not to share her fears with anyone; describing how they may have to part with all of their books and articles of furniture, "things round which the tendrils of one's life twine! Things that are more to one than many individuals!"; describing that her mother might suffer from the sacrifice of their furniture; noting that "Truly a great lesson in life is that of bearing and forbearing"; describing meeting up with Mrs. Hawkes and Frank Stone (1800-1859), who spoke beautiful about sentiment in art; describing how he anticipates "a new era in Art" when the religion of Art will be developed; remarking on The Times and how Louis Phillippe was overthrown and the Second Republic established, and Louis Napoleon became its president. Postscript: "Have you seen Bessie Parkes again? Pray remember AMH to her!"