My dear Grandpa,

It is with much pleasure that I write to you hoping that this will find you well and grandma seems better.¹ I enjoyed my visit to London very much. John was rather busy they have a nice little place near the Station.² Aunt³ went up to London to pay them a visit and has not returned as yet, we had rather a hard time to get her off but Succeeded [sic] at last. We thought the change would do her good. Maud wrote a long letter, she sent me her Phot. My cousin Emma went with me to see Miss Smith. Dr. Beard of Brantford advised her not to have it [down score?] of economy as the epistle of her having to go to Montreal. Dr. Balmer of Princeton who visits Mr. Harbin was speaking to Allice [sic] respecting me, he stated that I could go to the hospital in Toronto and get the divided place drawn together, remain in the hospital until properly united, this he thought would be more expensive than a false plate would be much more ["expensive" crossed out] satisfactory.⁴ Allice wrote to Grandma and Grandpa Fussell asking them to send me there. I was very much pleased with the Christmas present. Willie will write in a week. I like the tracts very much. Emma has an Organ and is taking music lessons. Aunt was a little better when she heard from her. Allice spent her Christmas with us. I have just saved money enough to buy myself a locket and chain. Willie gave me a beautiful Album for a Christmas present. With kind love to all, wishing you a happy new year, I remain your affectionate Granddaughter,

Lottie Baker⁵

¹ This letter was written almost completely without punctuation, which has been added for ease of reading.

² John here is likely Lottie's brother, John Puckridge Baker.

³ Lottie is probably referring to her aunt Jane Puckridge, wife of Lottie's maternal uncle, John Puckridge.

⁴ Lottie has a cleft palate for which she finally has surgery and suffers complications. We do not really know whether Lottie has a cleft lip as well as a cleft palate. Most of the letters refer to her "palate." Only Dr. John Orange Baker uses the term "harelip" in W3491. See W3363, W3412, W3420, W3424, W3426, W3434, W3491, W3496, W3506, W3521, W3532, W3671, W3759, W3788.

⁵ Lottie (Charlotte) Baker is one of the seven orphaned children of James Alfred Baker and Charlotte (Puckridge). They had been left in the care of their stepmother, Maria (Mudge) Baker who is the second wife of James Alfred. For the Maria Mudge story, see large footnote at W3155, which leads to other letters.

⁶ For more information on Rev. Thomas Baker, go to the Home Page and click on "Family" and then click on his photo.