To Mrs. J.G. Holland
From ED

early 1884

Sweet Sister.

The contemplation of you as "Grandma" is a touching novelty to which the Mind adjusts itself by reverent degrees.

That nothing in her Life became her like it's last event, it is probable - So the little Engrosser has done her work, and Love's "remainder Biscuit" is henceforth for us -

We will try and bear it as divinely as Othello did, who had he had Love's sweetest slice, would not have charmed the World -

Austin heard Salvini before his Idol died, and the size of that manifestation even the Grave has not foreclosed -

I saw the Jays this Morning, each in a Blue Pelisse, and would have kissed their Lips of Horn, if I could have caught them, but Nature took good care!

I have made a permanent Rainbow by filling a Window with Hyacinths, which Science will be glad to know, and have a Cargo of Carnations, worthy of Ceylon, but Science and Ceylon are Strangers to me, and I would give them both for one look of the gone Eyes, glowing in Paradise - There are too many to count, now, and I measure by Fathoms, Numbers past away -

With longings for the sweet Health and Seraphic Peace of my little Sister,

     Her Lover,
          Emily -