My very dear Mammy

I had two wretched days on Friday & Saturday, but the second & largest boil has just broken so I shall be, & am now, much better. I lay all day up stairs on the sofa, groaning & grumbling & reading Last days of Pompeii—² It has been one of my most painful boils— I have almost made up my mind to stay here till Wednesday & I shall not go round by Kew, as Hooker will come to us.— I have had plenty of time to think of you my own dearest, tenderest, best of wives—I do love & adore you— I have no doubt I shall be at home on Thursday— Kiss the dear children for me.— Susan³ gets on very slowly; her thumb, however, is better.— I fear Catty⁴ is just the same.— Many thanks for all your very nice letters, & your amusing one this morning:—we all here perfectly understand why so many laurels must be dug up, perhaps you would like the Azalia & one of the Deodars for Elizabeth.⁵

My dearest, I kiss you from my heart. | C.D.

Won’t you dig up a few of the apple-trees in the orchard? Are they not too thick? The D^r. says it is bad time now to prune laurels—⁶