You know Heidelberg, & therefore you will perceive that we are delightfully located for the summer. One of our balconies looks up the ne Neckar & the other looks out over Castle, town, & the Rhine Valley. These balconies are just the thing to take supper in—or read or smoke or write. They are glass-enclosed, with movable sashes. I have hired a den, for the not exorbitant sum of $5 a month, on the opposite side of the Neckar, in an upper story of a dwelling-house, for a study—so as to be away from home attractions & distractions. The walk thither every morning, & the walk back, through the town & the Castle grounds, at 4 P.M., give me very pleasing exercise, & just enough of it. I do wish you were here on a 3 months’ vacation, with orders to walk 15 or 20 miles a day. What times we should have!

I meant to study German & learn to speak, but I must give that up. I can’t afford the time. I have begun writing a book about Germany, in the sort of narrative form which I used in Innocents, Roughing It & Bermuda stuff. I think I shall enjoy the work when I get fairly into the swing of it. On off-days I shall translate a volume of pretty & ingenious tales which I have run across, here. They were written ostensibly for the young, but like all really good books for youth, they are entertaining matter for the elderly also. There are some touches in them of a delicacy wrhich requires mature perception. I have translated one of the tales to my satisfaction. There is humor in it.

Our children are wrestling with the language under a governess, & Mrs. Clemens & Miss Spaulding are doing likewise under a teacher. But O, the intractable grammar! how it gravels them!

A German paper of yesterday says, “Bret Harte is to have a German Consulate, with $3,000 a year.” I suppose the government’s idea is to get up a contrast with Bayard TaylorⒶemendation, who is a gentleman.

It was a delightful & memorable time I had with you in your beautiful home—God send it may be repeated.

Mrs Clemens & I join in loving regards to you & Mrs. Gray, & wishes for the long life & happiness of all the family, big & little.