Is very sorry to hear of Nan's loss [of her daughter, Harriet]; hopes she will soon be in better spirits; was touched by the story of Maggie [Ludlow] singing a hymn to soothe her pain; hopes she feels better now; assumes he will remain in England until the spring; if war breaks out [between G.B. and the U.S.] he may have to stay longer; thinks that England would rather have arbitration by a third power than have war; even this is seen as being beneath England, though; is glad to hear that Mytton, Walker, and Tobin are doing well; assumes that Fontaine and Rutson have been released and that letters can be sent to Maury Bro[ther]s again; thinks that Laura's trip was very good for her;  the palsy in the movement in her head is no longer noticeable; Laura's sister, Sarah Cox, was grateful to him for letting Laura take the trip; Sarah sends regards; Mr. and Mrs. Ferreira were very kind to him; Mr. Ferreira does not work and does not even paint, as he used to; he and Laura left for Mr. Ruddle's house on 4 [Dec.] and stayed with him for two nights; while he was there, Mr, Ruddle took him into Tewkesbury to see the old Abbey Church; then went to Cheltenham, which he had never been to before; called on Byrom Corrie, who was too ill to see them; Mary Bold reminded him when he got back to Liverpool that Mr. and Mrs. Tom Carson are living in Cheltenham; was upset that he forgot to call on them; Mrs. Martin, Mrs. Ruddle's sister came for dinner; they talked about old timesl thinks the Rudales would have been happier if they had children; told him, in a letter he wrote after returning to Liverpool, what Mytton thinks about Dr. Nevilles excessive smoking; he said that their physician thought smoking was harmful to him [Dr. Neville?]; had a note from Miss Fird [?] when he got back, inviting him to spend a day with her at Zealand the next time he visits Miss Dilworth; called on Mr. Lowndes, who he has never met, and was pleased with him; was invited to dinner on a day when Mr/ Lownde's sister Kate would be home; told him about the family, but neither of them mentioned Sarah; Mary Bold sauid that his practice was doing well and tht he was one iof the attendent surgeons at Northern Hospital; after meeting Mr. Lowndes, was sorry that Sarah declined his offer, for her sake; Mr. Rob[er]t Heath invited him to come stay with him, but he declined because he does not want to travel while everyone is stil in suspense about the Trent Affair; news of friends; Mr. Clunas is not planning to go back to America yet; wishes them all a Happy Christmas. 8pp ALS