Xmas Morning.
Mother dear, the Satsuma ware is exquisitely beautiful. One likes to sit down & study each stroke & tint & delicate line in it & as we do a with a marvelous picture. We thank you much more than we can put on paper, you may be sure of that. The two quilts are too lovely for indiscriminate use; I shall use them myself, exclusively. I think that that dainty Japanese fish came from you; [& so] I will thank you for it, anyway, “jus’ e’ [same.” The] Emperor’s [handwriting] suggests yours, foreignized.
It was a wonderful box you ‸you people‸ sent, & we had a charming time making discoveries in it. I have taken Ida’s House Beautiful & Baby Days & Ik Marvel’s Book, & shall give Livy & the children copies of my works in place of them. Theodore could hardly have sent me a book more to my liking than Miss Martineau’s Western Travels—I am charmed with the calm way she sharpens the hob-nails in her No. 13s & walks over our late fellow citizens. I am considering whether
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Well, we are having a pretty booming sort of a Christmas, both in the library & the nursery. We send you all a power of love, & the merry wishes of the season, with prayers for many happy returns.
Affectional ‸te‸ly
Samℓ.
P.S.
The ordering of father’s picture from Le Clere, by the boys, was an inspiration worthy of the time & of them.
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