Julie writing to her daughter Helen (Yale Ellsworth).  Helen was travelling in Europe, Julie was going in between Hartford and Esperanza on a regular basis at the end of this second full summer at the house.  October, 1873:

“The leaves are falling from the Magnolia tree before the window. The two iron chairs stand in the little nook, tomorrow I shall take down the faded greens from the mantle and I am going to hang your picture there with Esperanza leaves all around it where I can see it every time I sit and rock before the fire. Darling, how I love you. You will never know till you have a Nell of your own to torment you and comfort you and occupy your thoughts and time, and fill up all the little nooks in your heart. Ned and Lucy went to a Beethoven concert last night, they quarrel a good deal but I believe are quite good friends after all. Mrs. Hooker has come out with a queer book about women. Your Mama, Julie.