I reached home this afternoon, finally, & will snatch a moment to write a line.

I probably shall put off the reading-trip to England & Australia till next year, as Livy does not want to take the children away from their schooling now, & I will not go without the family. Besides, I wish to be close at hand all the time while General Grant’s book is going through the press & being canvassed. I want no mistakes to happen, & nothing, overlooked, nothing neglected.

Orion’s cracker-diet is—well let us not characterize it. If he will stop eating—utterly, completely, uncompromisingly—for two or three days, his cold will disappear, no matter how strong or old a cold it is. And then if he will keep his stomach in good order he will never have another one. I have exposed myself in every sort of way this winter, & recklessly & without fear, as long as my stomach was right—& when it wasn’t, I skipped from one to four meals, & put it right. Result—I passed the months of October, Nov Dec. Jan & Feb. without a cold.

Yrs

Ma seems to be growing young again very fast. We all send her our love.

As to the history—yes, consult the original instructions—they are sufficient, & I am too busy to plan or entertain others.

With our love to you all——