My dear Rob,

     Hurrah for the Union! American ships in the Bay have shown out the word in their signal flags, and abundant Salutes have accompanied them. And at home, through all the North, I believe this day will be celebrated as almost never before. It is less than a week since the tidings of that glorious uprising reached us. but what joy they gave when they came at last, and how from our very hearts do we sympathize in the enthusiasm and strong determination that have reigned among you since April 14th. We have hardly spoken to each other of any thing else since the mail came in, and it is uppermost when I try to write; but I know it will fill Ogden's [i.e., Ogden Ellery Edwards, the author's husband]

letter, and I really must remember you wish to know something of ourselves. It was on the 5th of June, I think, that my last hurried words to you were written; and since then we have had a most pleasant missive from you telling about Annie's visit [i.e., Anna Louisa Edwards, the recipient's sister]. How delighted we were to know all the little incidents you both gave; and what comfort it was to us "to reflect" that this long desired treat was, at length, granted you. — Here Juana has interrupted me for sundry prosaic directions about her serving, calling me back summarily from Phila. to Manila. I look now about our room, and see sundry sights that would astonish you could you take a peep at them. "Are these your usual table ornaments?" you would ask, "Or why are all these things spread out?" Listen, my dear brother. Four days ago arrived the box shipped for us

per "Benefactor." Some extraordinary blunder in the packing hall brought together what should have been the contents of two boxes. Above the piles of purchases, and the beautiful and so anticipated gifts, were laid the jars of preserves. You see at a glance the result—each of these leaked, of course, and two were entirely broken. A very few things escaped the wetting, and consequent mould; and among them is that fine volume of "Modern Painters" you so kindly sent to me. Accept my best thanks for it, dear Rob, and be sure it is warmly prized. Emerson's book, too, your valued gift to Ogden, came and with only a little exterior injury. Some Photographs also suffered no harm. indeed there seems to have been some especial charm about your gifts, they were almost the only things that did not suffer. Many thanks to you for sending it to us. I shall write Annie by next mail of the sad end of her note paper & envelopes, that I am sure were beautiful, and would have been so

very acceptable to me. I am trying to make less injured things dry, and that is the explanation of the afore said curious adornments. No doubt the great mistake that caused all this was with the packer—he should have known two boxes were indispensable, and I think dear Frank had two prepared. She was too ill, poor child, to attend to it, and you know all our little family was in great commotion at that time, and for weeks before. You have heard through Annie of the pen knives—how very careless of me not to mention them a month ago. I use mine a great deal, every day, I believe; and it is exactly what I would have chosen. Thank you again for your kind care about it. — Another interruption. a boy to take certain "Yankee Apple pies" (we have had all the year some very good Apple sauce in tins) to the Am. Consul's—my small contribution to the "Fourth of July dinner". The latter is for gentlemen only,

So I shall go out to Miss Herrmann's [i.e., Anna Herrmann's] to spend the evening. I enclose you a little letter for poor Aunt Etta, of which I know you will kindly take charge

May these other hasty jotings of mine find you very well. A great deal of love

to Fanny [i.e., Frances Edwards Rogers, the recipient's sister] and Annie, and plenty to yourself from your own sister,

Nellie