[Undated. Probably May 1862 - the Great International Exhibition was opened on 1 May.]

Hackney

My dear Andrea

My dear husband and your dear father (in law) having announced to me somewhat unexpectedly his determination to write to our dear sons by this mail, I am rather pressed for time and shall not be able to write to perhaps more than 6 ounces but I will try. It affords us much pleasure to find that you consider it a "privilege" to write to us. I hope it will ever be so; would that we could meet and exchange our mutual thoughts, but that is an event I dare not encourage, as I fear it would end in disappointment. It is a great mercy to be able to correspond, and thus hear of each other's welfare, but it would indeed be very nice to have you and dear Alexander living near enough to us to look in upon us every day or so.

I thank you for your kind thoughts about - (torn) - you were residing - (torn) - my dear Alexander too, would not forget or with-hold his kindnesses. I should like to be permitted to put him to the test, but whilst you are doing so much better there than I fear you could here by any thing I can suggest. It is a question you yourselves only must decide; with no family you could much better come than dear Walter and Mercedes, on account of their family. Dear little children, how much I should like to see them. It was very nice for you to have them with you during their papa's illness. Oh! how sad for him to have that dreadful complaint - the smallpox by what he said. I presume he is not marked, which is fortunate. How little do we know what a day may bring forth. Dear fellow, how I wish he would give - (torn) - the earth - (torn) spent in a state of darkness to spiritual things although I frequented a place of worship twice a day each Sunday, the Truth I found amongst the Dissenters.

By the by, you tell me a Methodist Minister has been teaching [= 'preaching'?] in St. Luis Obispo. This is indeed glad tidings, as if he be so ignorant upon other subjects he is not upon religion. Give him a hearing, dear Andrea, you will not repent it, - an hospitable cup often would not be amiss. He would tell you about the "one thing needful".

So you have plenty of rain in California. I believe the mails were detained. Through it your newspaper bearing date December and January we have but just received. The political news contained in them is quite old here. The North is getting on famously now. I quite rejoice to hear - (torn) - French seem likely - (torn) - interfere. I am glad - (torn) - English are not.

Our grand Exhibition is at length opened. I propose [to go] the 30th instant as the admission will then be (on certain days) but one shilling.

You mentioned our likenesses. During the winter we have been quite shut up at home excepting to go to a place of worship but now that the fine weather is expected we shall go out for the express purpose of getting them taken. You ought to have had them long, long ago. I have much regretted it.

Have you received Mrs. Evans' parcel? by it we sent ours but they were in such a shabby state that you must receive them only as an apology. Some others shall follow if I live many months longer. We are obliged to you, dear Andrea, for the gold dollars and shall keep them as remembrances from you - they are - (torn) - in themselves but as mementoes of your - (torn) we principally value them. Many thanks for - (torn). I must now bid you farewell. Accept both of - (torn) my love and very best wishes and believe me

My dear Andrea

Your affectionate mother

S. Murray

I cannot write to dear Alexander this time but tell him we feel obliged to him for the sovereign. We shall purchase something by way of remembrance, at the same time supply a - (torn) which [would] otherwise go unsupplied.