Jane Barnard to Henry Bence Jones   27 December 1866

[Royal Institution embossed letterhead] | 27 Dec. 1866

Dear Dr Bence Jones

We heard of your kind enquiries after my Uncle yesterday & I know you will be pleased to hear more particularly of him from me. He has nearly recovered from the attack he had last week, though the swelling of the leg does not entirely go: he is very cheerful & even & the stimulants we are desired to give him seem only to have a beneficial effect. I cannot help feeling very glad that by your advice he gave up almost all, during the summer, for now it has been so valuable.

We are very thankful to find how suitably & quietly we go on here; my Uncle expresses no wish to leave the rooms tho’ he was interested in hearing of Dr Franklands lecture to day¹.

During this attack of illness you have been much in all our minds, you have been always so much & so intimately associated with him. A fortnight ago I felt very wishful to see you, but when I heard that you were often over done with visitors & I knew how many there were nearer & with far more reason for seeing you than I had, I contented myself with hearing of you often & I shall hope for the pleasure after a while, when you are much stronger[.]

You will have heard what a good opening of the season we had today & what a full room. The experiments followed each other quickly - quick enough to have satisfied even you I think.

This requires no notice & I trust you will not let it trouble you. Hoping to hear better accounts of you & with our united kind regards to Lady Millicent & yourself

I am My dear Sir | Yours very sincerely | Jane Barnard

Dr Bence Jones | &c &c &c