18 Victoria Park Road
Hackney
4th Sept. 1868
My dear Alexander & Andrea

It is with much pleasure that I reply to yours of yesterday (received through your uncle Hopwood) who kindly came over to present it to me with the two papers. Accept my thank for the souvereign as well for the papers as upon reading them I find some interesting particulars upon the subject of religion. The Pioneer now and then gives me a little news about yourself and brother, for instance, it said Walter was lecturing upon the subject of education and that you had sent a present of fish to the editor - nothing can be uninteresting that relates to you or yours, be it ever so trifling in itself.

Do you get the paper I send? Public Opinion Telegraph [?] My letters to you appear to be received regularly - was wishing very much for a letter from you when yours arrived and I am so glad to find that dear Walter is at last thinking about writing to me. I must confess he never omitted to write to me at all convenient seasons during the lifetime of our dear father - and I should be doubly grieved that he should do so now that I am in my widowhood as I am much alone and slights of any kind dwell unnaturally long upon my mind especially when I am unwell during the very hot weather - I was ill for 3 weeks - lost my strength and got very thin. I really thought I was going home but the Lord in his goodness has spared me a little longer.

I thank you very much for your consideration towards me respecting commercial transactions. I know that I ought to be free from such Anxieties but I hear so much from persons who have trusted to Agents that I am willing to transact the business connected with the cottages as long as I can, but I begin to think I shall be conquered at last, for the drainage and repaint requires a masterly mind. 4 times I have been to Bow this week - the tenants too take advantage. As soon as I see my way clear I think I should sell them but I am putting off thinking about it at present as there is a prospect of them being purchased for the Railroad.

Indeed, my dear Alex, you take a very deep interest in my welfare and are most liberal towards me, nevertheless I do hope to leave something behind - my wants are very simple - my only desire is to live in a quiet retired way for the remainder of my days. I am in a state of preparation with the help of God for a future state of blessedness where I hope to meet your dear father once again to part no more forever. In the intermediate time should you in the Providence of God be enabled to visit dear old England in company with your dear wife I am quite sure it would rejoice my heart to welcome you both - would that it could have been during the lifetime of your dear father.

I received a letter from Anne yesterday wherein she tells me Elijah is expecting to come to London very soon (he is now at home) to walk the Hospital. Philip is expecting to be married shortly - your sister is now busy preparing the house for their reception. Thus two of the first family will be off. Sarah Ann will most likely be the next - she is a nice girl and no doubt would make a good wife. Mr. Evans has been acting ill almost ever since November with Bronchitis but since he has been to the seaside he is better.

John Kraushaar just keep[s?] his situation and is about becoming a member of the same body of Christians that his father has joined - his mind is thoroughly in it and there is no doubt in my mind of his being a Christian, but he is certainly unfit for business and no doubt will ultimately become a Preacher. He spends his Sundays with me and comes in to supper almost every night, but he is a very peculiar boy at present - no doubt he will improve - his advantages have not been great. I am thankful he says John & Fanny appear to be better provided for than they have hitherto been. This I am sincerely glad of, but to my mind it is a very inconvenient and unnatural way of living.

Did I tell you in my last that your uncle Clarke was dead - his widow has many difficulties to content with but I think she will be able to maintain her position. She has a nice house, well furnished and understands the management of a Boarding House better than most people. She visited me a short time since and I have promised to spend a day with her - she lives at Paddington. I have not at present been out anywhere this summer [n]or do I feel inclined.

I think your future Newspapers might be directed here and generally your letter[s] but any of importance to your uncle Hopwood - he has on many occasions been very kind. I am glad you direct your letter to the care of Mr. instead of Mrs, as he is very tenatious of respect. He has many nice points in his character but poor Human nature will creep in us all at times. Aunt is very kind - it is a pity that a better feeling does not exist between them but take no notice of this when you write. He is looking as well I think as I ever saw him and as ambitious as ever - he has a very good position at Chelsea and has a very comfortable life of it as his daughters are all women devoted to business.

There are plenty of families by the name of Holt in England both in London and in the country - those who have been most stirred up by the news are Mrs. Daniel Holt, Emily Auston & Mrs. Wood. Mrs. Lestourgeon has some relatives in America and they wrote to her upon this subject - the dates settle the matter I think, for they were before my uncle John Holt was born.

I must now my dear Alex thank you once more for your very great kindness and consideration towards me and with love to dear Andrea, believe me
Your affectionate mother
Sarah Murray