Letter from Anna Mary Howitt, London, to Barbara Leigh Smith Bodichon, 1859 August : autograph manuscript signed.

Writing to share her happiness about the good news of Bell's upcoming marriage to General Ludlow; asking for Barbara's permission to tell Alfred, who has always found Bell particularly fascinating; noting that her mother's face beamed with delight and congratulation over Barbara's note; trying to remember how lithographic ink is used; noting that AW (Alfred Watts) came to see her on Sunday and Monday, and she was delighted to see him even though he looked ill; discussing Alfred's job situation; noting how their relationship has tended to progress "with the varied epochs of the Christian year in a very mystical manner"; stating that they are thinking of marrying on a holy day, possibly St. Luke's day because he is, according to old legend, a physician and painter; trusting that both the spirit of Healing and Art will be around them; sharing that "Alfred says that he marries me to cure me, to be my healer and physician and that the first thing to be done is to keep me quiet - People will think us odd but they will soon forget our oddity"; asking about Bell's wedding.