1873 July 23, London, to Father

              Fenton's Hotel London
7 mo 23rd / 73

As this is my birth-day dear father, & I have rec'd a beautiful present from thee, this my letter home shall be inscribed to thee, & I will proceed without further delay, to tell thee what thee has given me. this morning while out walking in "London's proud city so fair" we passed a most enticing looking shop-window, where were displayed beautiful painted card-receivers, vases &c. and the temptation being great one entered, & did not leave until I had purchased one of the beauties as a present from thee--now I will tell thee what it was--a card received of black Danish terra-cotta ware, painted with a bunch of wild-roses convolvulus, & blue forget-me-nots, which I think is very pretty indeed, and I only hope when thee sees it, that thee