Faraday and Jane Barnard to Mary Deacon   16 June 1861

Folkestone 16 June 1861 - My dear Mary - I understand that this piece of paper is to you that it must be light¹ - and have no doubt it will contain much light matter so I drop as my love in the shape of ballast - but remember the love is for both you & William so share it fairly or bear with it together. Your joint risks & adventures have stirred us up to think much of you & I suspect your troubles have been greater than we have imagined - but where love is trouble diminishes and I therefore think that you carry the care of much misfortune with you. In writing to you I think of the state of those here whom you would wish to know about - but then I know that you will hear all about them from others, and that at present some who are nigh me will think that in the present case paper is of much more value than correspondence[.] So ever affectionately Yours M. Faraday

brothers death. Mary Jane² is still at Crane Grove³; Fanny [Barnard]⁴ looks well & she & John [Barnard]⁵ both very happy in their prospect of a baby⁶. Rachel [Barnard] is getting on well with her frock which looks very handsome; she worked 10 wide strips of [two words illegible], these are cut into 4 graduated lengths & they form a robe having muslin with 6 [word illegible] between each, she has done it very nicely, she will be a clever work woman. I hear from my father⁷ that he has never written you a line since you left; you know his unwillingness & dislike to writing and so will make all allowances. He has not been at all well lately & has been from business some days, but he is now quickly getting better. Dr Billinghurst⁸ is attending him & he says he thinks after this attack he should be better than he has been for some