It is larger than Mamma's grey parrot." A little later, "I sat between my dear cousins on the sofa and we looked at drawings.

They both draw very well, particularly Albert, and are both exceedingly fond of music; they play very nicely on the piano.

The more I see them the more I am delighted with them, and the more I love them...

It is delightful to be with them; they are so fond of being occupied too; they are quite an example for any young person." When, after a stay of three weeks, the time came for the young men and their father to return to Germany, the moment of parting was a melancholy one.

"It was our last HAPPY HAPPY breakfast, with this dear Uncle and those DEAREST beloved cousins, whom I DO love so VERY VERY dearly; MUCH MORE DEARLY than any other cousins in the WORLD.