Rev Thos Baker
My dear Grandpa

We are much obliged by your favor of the 2nd containing post office order for $49.85 which fully meets all expectations for [?].

We were sorry to learn that Grandma is still in such delicate health, under such circumstances her trip could not have afforded her much pleasure. We are considerably better in London, Minnie being at present the most porly [sic], she has got a severe cold and hacking cough which it seems impossible to break. Alfred is better than he was and seems to bear the intense heat better than any of us. Willie is in good health and is again at school we find him to be a very good boy and much less trouble to us in his behavior than we expected. I have had him write a copy for a half an hour four times a day during his holidays, but I am sorry to say that his improvement is not marked. I have tried to encourage him by saying that you wished to hear from him and that I would not allow him to write until he could improve upon the last letter he wrote you, but it was no use his fingers appear to be all thumbs while guiding the pen, he is making improvement in his other studies however and seems to be rather fond of reading and I have great hopes from his present taste and habits that he will be steady when a man. He is good natured to a fault willingly giving away anything that he has to please another and just as careless about his personal appearance as good natured people often are. This latter propensity causes an occasional outbreak between him and his sister Minnie, and poor Lot would tackle him desperately and tell him that his appearance disgraced us all. I am very glad to be able to tell you that Lottie is very much better if not by this time well. She is coming to London for the operation¹, it is expected about the first of the month. I yesterday mailed you a cabinet Photograph each of Minnie and Alfred with which we hope you will feel pleased. Alfreds is a very correct likeness, but Minnie's is not [??] to be quite as good. Alfred is able to read quite a little in the first book and copy's some of his letters on the slate, and I tell Willie will learn to write a letter to you first [?]. With sincerest sympathy for Grandma, and with kindest love you all, in which Minnie and Willie join me
I remain
Your affect. Grandson

John P. Baker

¹ Lottie's operation is for her cleft palate.

² John Puckridge was born in 1851 so was 29 at the time of this letter. He takes care of many of his younger 6 siblings, with the financial aid of their grandfather (Rev. Thomas Baker), as their parents are deceased. See also W2953 and W4141 for more on this family.