Ever affectionate
E.B.B.

[Footnote 194:  Christmas Eve and Easter Day.]

To Miss Browning Florence:  January 29, 1850.

My dearest Sarianna,—­I have waited to thank you for your great and ready kindness about the new edition, until now when it is fairly on its way to England.  Thank you, thank you!  I am only afraid, not that you will find anything too ‘learned,’ as you suggest, but a good many things too careless, I was going to say, only Robert, with various deep sighs for ‘his poor Sarianna,’ devoted himself during several days to rearranging my arrangements, and simplifying my complications.  It was the old story of Order and Disorder over again.  He pulled out the knotted silks with an indefatigable patience, so that really you will owe to him every moment of ease and facility which may be enjoyable in the course of the work.  I am afraid that at the easiest you will find it a vexatious business, but I throw everything on your kindness, and am not distrustful on such a point of weights and measures.

Your letter was full of sad news.  Robert was deeply affected at the account of the illness of his cousin—­was in tears before he could end the letter.  I do hope that in a day or two we may hear from you that the happy change was confirmed as time passed on.  I do hope so; it will be joy, not merely to Robert, but to me, for indeed I never forget the office which his kindness performed for both of us at a crisis ripe with all the happiness of my life.

Then it was sad to hear of your dear father suffering from lumbago.  May the last of it have passed away long before you get what I am writing!  Tell him with my love that Wiedeman shall hear some day (if we all live) the verses he wrote to him; and I have it in my head that little Wiedeman will be very sensitive to verses and kindness too—­he likes to hear anything rhythmical and musical, and he likes to be petted and kissed—­the most affectionate little creature he is—­sitting on my knee, while I give him books to turn the leaves over (a favorite amusement), every two minutes he puts up his little rosebud of a mouth to have a kiss.  His cold is quite gone, and he has taken advantage of the opportunity to grow still fatter; as to his activities, there’s no end to them.  His nurse and I agree that he doesn’t remain quiet a moment in the day....[195]

Now the love of nephews can’t bear any more, Sarianna, can it?  Only your father will take my part and say that it isn’t tedious—­beyond pardoning.

May God bless both of you, and enable you to send a brighter letter next time.  Robert will be very anxious.

Your ever affectionate sister
BA. 
Mention yourself, do.

[Footnote 195:  A long description of the baby’s meals and daily programme follows, the substance of which can probably be imagined by connoisseurs in the subject.]

To Miss Mitford Florence:  February 18, 1850.