Forms part of a collection of letters written by Anna Mary Howitt to Barbara Leigh Smith Bodichon (1827-1891); see MA 14350.
Hoping that Barbara will receive the etching plates she sent shortly after receiving this letter; noting that she did not send them together because she always finds laying the etching ground to be a vile matter; expressing hope that a delay of a few days will be enduring; wishing Barbara success with her "etching mania," noting that "what one has a very strong impulse towards generally turns out well"; feeling sorry to hear that she is not getting along as well as she hoped with her work, but encouraging her; stating that she is sure that Barbara has done more than she believes she has; expecting that she will be disappointed with her work but stating that "we must have faith in each other and the good work is sure to come in the end"; sharing that her work is going very slowly, and she often thinks about her comparison between painting and matrimony, which seems worth having and enduring; sharing that they will do everything possible to get her painting circulated (referring to her first public effort on behalf of feminism, a popular pamphlet called "A Brief Summary in Plain Language of the Most Important Laws Concerning Women"); hoping that she will do a series of them; expressing that they have so much to talk about when they meet again; inquiring about when Barbara's school begins; noting that she has been home about ten days with her mother and Meg, who enjoyed their trip; stating that she hsa been feeling far from well since her return, which she attributes mostly to walking in the heat; reassuring her that she will take Dr. Wilkinson's advice; sharing that the upcoming week will be busy as they are giving up their home on Avenue Road; asking after Bessie; describing her mindset as "used up" and asking if this "is this not an unusual state of mind for a woman to be in"; asking Barbara to ask Bessie whether it was her that she lent The Germ (a Pre-Raphaelite Magazine); noting that she will look after Barbara's frame this week.