early January 1883

The presence of Life of so sweet an one is if itself Fortune -- a covert wealth of spirit I shall not disclose --

I have taken all the naughty Boys and Vinnie the Navy --

What lovely conceits!

Then the little Smyra in the Dish -- how tiny -- how affecting -- though the Heart in the rear not tiny -- Oh no -- vast as the Sea --

To caress it's Billows is our liquid aim --

Emily,

With love --