1 Philadelphia Pl.
Hackney Rd.
8th March 1861

My dearest Alexander

I received your letter in due time. The likenesses came also safely to hand. Fanny has hers and the newspaper according to your request and Anne would have had hers ere now but for my being absent when Mrs. Evans last called. She had the newspaper sent by post but we do not like trusting anything of much value. Horace Brown[e] sent his sister Anna 5 sovereigns in a letter but it never reached her.

I must now thank you very much for your last letter. I have it not by me now as I sent it off to poor Fanny. We are very glad that your happiness continues and that in pecuniary matters you are progressing. Do not be discouraged at not getting riches. Do your best and if it be good for your eternal welfare the Lord will prosper you. The word of God says "lay up for yourself treasures in heaven" where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt and where thieves do not break through or steal. Worldly riches are often a snare.

Your likeness we much value but I can only trace a faint resemblance to which [what?] you were when we parted on the stairs at 4 Hampton [Northampton?] Place. You have written more frequently lately. I thank you for it but how is it that Walter is so silent? Surely you might have told us in your letters of his welfare without committing any offence. We should so like to hear by every opportunity. I am even more anxious than usual to hear from you now on account of the threatening aspect of the Union. I am now sanguine respecting Lincoln. I believe him to be a religious man and one who will follow in the steps of Washington. As for his political career - how is it that you were for Douglas? Are you not for the emancipation of the slaves? dreadful traffic! The slave states cannot expect to be prospered. I have lately seen two men who have come over from Ohio. They have been received most kindly by the English people and are about returning home with sufficient money to pay for the freedom of their wives and children. I expect Henry Manfred is of a different opinion as he sent your paper, the New York Herald newspaper. You are, I find, in correspondence with Charles. Mind what you say to him. He is likely to come to England. I have no very high opinion of him. I wrote to him and gave him your address by the particular desire of his mother as he wanted to know what you were doing. I expect he is coming over to England in the summer on a visit to his sisters.

Nathan Barlow is at Liverpool where I am told he has commenced business for himself. Alfred has an engagement there for some large Builder and I believe they are both doing very well. Their sister, Mrs. Bird, is left a widow with 5 children and would be in great distress but for the assistance of her brothers. I did not see Nathan when he was in London.

Walter's friend, Pacheco, we have not seen for months. We are wondering whether he intends calling again as he has not yet called on Anne We scarcely know how to treat him as he seems so aristocratic in his ways, but for that we should have wished to have seen much more of him. His time seemed taken up with the great folks, for instance - the American Minister's son was his daily companion according to his own account.

Fanny and John are still in the country. She has 5 children. They tell me so little about their affairs that I cannot enlighten you but I presume they are provided for with much uncertainty.

- [torn] - as I want to write a little note to your dear wife. I must be brief - family news is very dull - nothing stirring. I presume as the spring advances we shall see a few of our relatives. George Auston is in London in a Ship Insurance House but he dislikes the place and is saving to follow out his sister and brother to Australia, whither they are gone fortune hunting.

Do you hear anything about Religious Revivals? I would send you a Christian paper or two but you do not "care about them much". I wish you did, my dear boy, I could then die happy feeling assured that I should meet you in that better land where parting is unknown. Adieu - I shall now write a note to Andrea. With love and best wishes believe me

Your affectionate mother

Sarah Murray

P.S. My love and best wishes to dear Walter and his wife to whom I shall write next. Adieu.