1867 September 8, Woodford, to My dear Chelly

              Woodford 9 mo 8, 1867My dear ChellyI dont know whom I owe the most letters to, for I owe to each more than she or he is likely to get. but I think I have several of them which I [?] acknowledged in letters to thyself. If I make mistakes however & didnt apportion my replies equally you will be very sensonable[?] & understand that though I may aim my gun at one I always fire a [?]  shot that is intended to hit the family generally. This is my 6th First day in London. The 4th that I have spent with Smith Harrison. I feel reluctant to trespass so much on him, but I get no invitations elsewhere. Except where I should feel myself somewhat of a stranger & I get so down during the week that if I did not repast[?] myself with a real rest on this day of rest that I dont know what wd. happen to me. And what a place this is for me. They let me do what I please & vary between [?] & meeting. I am sitting in a scenic view-- a beautiful lawn with flowers shrubbery & fine large trees before me. the birds singing all around & everything as soothing as could be desired-- what a pity it is that one lets the petty annoyances of life interfere with the full enjoyment of the cup of life which is so freely offerred him & that I should have let this miserable [?]  business trouble me when I had so much to be thank