My dear 'Cesca,

I cannot convey to you the transports to which I was elevated this afternoon when I discovered your letter in the post. What a mysteriously lumpy package it was, and what curiosity it aroused in my breast! Imagine my beating heart as I tore open the top! For several moments I was afraid it should stop entirely-my heart, that is- and I should be obliged to appeal to Mssrs. Campbell and Whosoeverelseitwas to galvanize me, after which experience I fear I should have never been the same again.

Be that as it may, however, I did eventually overcome my trembling fingers and discover the contents of the envelope. How delightful! I have pinned your lovely flower onto my reticule and shall proudly display it tomorrow to the inhabitants of my cold cell.

Do not be fooled by my little fancy, 'Cesca; I speak figuratively, for of course writing advertisements for ladies' circulating journals and languishing in penal facilities are two quite different things. However I must confess that there are times when it wearies me to be trapped in my library pondering the maximum number of times that the phrase "flawless complexion" can be used in one small box of text before the reader will begin to tire of it and move on to an article about how to delicately withdraw from an engagement without appearing rude. Particularly inasmuch as the weather continues to improve and I frequently long to perambulate about the neighbourhood. What a pity that imminent poverty compels me to be so unladylike as to earn a living, even in so discreet a fashion.

I must trust in your everpresent generosity to forgive me for going on in this fashion about my woes, 'Cesca. Don't believe a word of them, I pray you. And do grace me with a note in return, particularly if you know any words that have a meaning similar to "complexion".

A thousand regards, as well as my fondest wishes for you to stop frittering away your time in the wilds of who-knows-where and convey yourself instantly to my side, coupled finally with my assurances that I remain,

yours,
annika fox

A Very Happy Easter to You, Dearest Cousin!

The most delightful of circumstances has lead to my complete freedom for nearly two whole weeks! Well, perhaps that is taking things a trifle too far, it is after all not precisely delightful that the Family has been quarantined with a fever that has been raging through the city. Though, I am secretly quite pleased that I am not expected to stay as a sick-room nurse. In fact their Nurse is a rather protective soul and quite dislikes my intrusion upon the Family. I suspect she is part of the reason that I am to be kept away until all danger has passed!

The result is that I have had time to myself! A true novelty! I have spent much of the time enjoying the surprisingly lovely weather; it has been quite warm and sunny of late. I have now been able to acquaint myself with much the town and do a bit of shopping.

This past weekend, being Easter, I was a dutiful Christian and attended Easter Service. I went with several of the fellows from the boarding house. Afterwards well all walked down to Glasgow Green, along the Clyde river, before returning for Mrs Murphy’s Easter dinner. It turned out to be a lovely way to pass the day.

I quite enjoyed talking with Professor Campbell and Mr James McDonald, who got into a lively debate about the merits and possibilities surrounding ‘galvanisation’. Professor Campbell does not approve of this attempt to animate the dead by means of electric current. He believes that it is an unnatural practice that our Lord certainly disproves of. However, James thinks it is an important scientific discovery and could lead to great advancements in the area of Anatomy. I confess myself morbidly curious to see such an experiment! Though, I suppose it must be rather gruesome to watch.

Ronald Fergus mused about the propriety of using the dead for scientific research, when clearly they had no say in the matter. It was felt, though, that those sentenced to death for crimes against society were at least now being of use. It was an interesting discussion to be sure! However, we did turn to lighter topics of machines and engines when Juliana expressed her distaste for subject matter. I never knew that steam engines could be so interesting! Nor so terribly important!

James has promised to show me around Glasgow University this week. Since the students are on break, he doesn’t think it will be a problem to sneak me into some of the labs and the library. I am very excited!

As always I hope your studies are going well and that you are having any number of wild adventures!

Your most affectionate,

Elizabette