Jane Barnard to Henry Bence Jones   25 November 1866

[Royal Institution embossed letterhead] | 25 Nov. 1866

My dear Dr Bence Jones

We were very doubtful as to whether I should write to you, for we feared it might be a trouble to you to receive letters, but on asking Dr Tyndall he said he thought you would like to hear, & I know that if you are able, you will be glad to know that we are comfortably settled at our old home again. We moved from Hampton Court on Wednesday¹ & got over the transit very easily. My Aunt came first by rail so as to be ready to receive my Uncle & he & I followed in a carriage & pair; he seemed so calm & quietly interested, & even when he arrived was not at all excited. The night however was passed restlessly & he had to take his morphia dose, so that he has not been so well since; but today he is much recovered. Yesterday morning he asked “Am I still considered to hold the reins here” & said he thought it best it should be so; but he does not seem at all anxious or able to take up or enquire into matters. He asks often for you & told me that as you could not make an appearance he would wish to see your portrait, so we got out Maull & Polyblanks² sitting, large one & we were all delighted with it³. We have been very anxious to hear of you & through the kindness of friends have had tidings often, though not what we could have wished. We should be so glad to hear of your being able to move to London; it seems as if it would in many ways be so much more suitable & comfortable.

My Uncle is now sitting quietly by our side, reading a new book that we found here “Electricity” by Ferguson⁴; how much he takes in we cannot tell, but at any rate it proves a calm & interesting occupation to him & soothes him.

My Aunt desires her kindest remembrances in which I join & remain dear Dr Jones | Yours most | sincerely | Jane Barnard

Sunday Evening