Combe Bank, Sevenoaks.—Has found his collars, and hopes to find his socks too. Is sorry to hear about Smut (their dog). Refers to the characters of Cyril and Hughie (Spottiswoode’s sons), and wishes she were there. Fred Pollock has sent an account of his forthcoming lecture at the Royal Institution.
(Dated Sunday.)
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Transcript
Combe Bank, Sevenoaks {1}
Sunday
My own pet—I have found my collars: there is so much furniture in this room that it takes a week to investigate all the drawers; but I hope before coming home to have discovered my socks also. The news about Smut is very sad—he ought to have some medicine, but do not give him Morison’s pills because they do not agree with him. Cyril is a dear little boy; he never thinks of himself but is entirely wrapped up in Hughie whom he thinks a most alarming swell. {2} They have a conjuring book and are always doing tricks except when they play cricket with the dog. Oh my sweet child if you were only here! {3}—mushrooms! grown in a hot-house in the dark—such beauties—dwell upon them in silence for a few moments. Fred Pollock has sent an account of his lecture that he is to give at the R. I. in words of one syllable. {4} Here is the post going so I must shut up
By-bye my own darling child
Your loving old man
Willi.
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{1} Home of William Spottiswoode.
{2} The references are to Spottiswoode’s two sons, Cyril Andrew (born 1867) and William Hugh (born 1864).
{3} Lucy may have stayed at home because she was about to give birth to the couple’s second child, Alice Margaret, born on 11 April.
{4} Pollock delivered a Friday evening discourse on Spinoza at the Royal Institution on 20 April. See The Times, 24 April 1877, p. 12.