George got home a fortnight ago, after his three weeks’ absence; looking nicely, and more like himself than I have seen him in a long time.  He had a most refreshing time in Germany among his old friends.  It does my heart good to see him so cheery and hopeful.  I have just seen the three babies safely in bed, after no little scampering and carrying-on, and now am ready for a little chat with you and dear mother.  George sits by me, piously reading “Adam Bede.”  I was disappointed in the “Minister’s Wooing,” which he brought from Germany, and can not think Mrs. Stowe came up to herself this time, whatever the newspapers may say about it; and as for the plot, I don’t see why she couldn’t have let Mary marry good old Dr. Hopkins, who was vastly more of a man than that harum-scarum James.  As to “Adam Bede,” I think it a wonderful book, beyond praise.  I hope these literary observations will be blessed to you, my dear.  Mrs. Tholuck sent me a very pretty worsted cape to wear about house, or under a cloak.  We went to Lausanne last Wednesday (George, A. and I) to do a little shopping for Christmas, and had quite a good time, only as life is always mingled in sweet and bitter, bitter and sweet, we had the melancholy experience of finding, when we got ready to come home, that Jules had taken a drop too much, and was in a state of ineffable silliness, which made George prefer to drive himself.

We begin now to think and talk about Paris.  We have been buying this afternoon some Swiss chalets and other things, brought to the door by two women, and I had hard work to keep George from taking a bushel or two.  He got leaf-cutters enough to stab all his friends to the heart.  Most of our lady friends will receive a salad-spoon and fork from one or the other of us.  In fact, I have no doubt we shall be seized at the Custom-house as merchants in disguise.  Well, I must bid you good night.

The latter part of December her husband was requested to go to Paris and take the temporary charge of the American chapel there.  He decided to do so, with the understanding that she and the children should soon follow him.  But scarcely had he left Geneva, when first one and then another of the children was seized with scarlet fever.  Here are a few extracts from her letters on the subject: 

Dec. 31st.—­Jules had hardly gone to the office, when I became satisfied that G. had scarlet fever beyond a doubt, and therefore sent Jeanette instantly to town to tell the doctor so, and to ask him to come up.  He came, and said at once I was quite right....  As to our leaving here, he said decidedly that it could not be under less than forty days.  I can not tell you, my darling, how grieved I am for you to hear this news.  Now I know your first impulse will be to come home, and perhaps to renounce the chaplaincy, but I beg you to think twice—­thrice before you decide to do so....  How one thing hurries on after another!  But it is the universal cry, everywhere; everybody