I have to see here Baron (illegible text)'s sister, who is married to Major General something, Judge of the Court Martial court, evidently a great & powerful functionary. They say the Russians are courting the English just now.
Mr Groves has just told me of the narrow escape of our Queen—how delighted I am at the news. It would have been dreadful had she been burnt. The Russian Empress is better, & I hear the German Emperor is middling.
I will write you again to-morrow & when I must see Cooke the Foreign Office court agent.
I note all home news & wish best love to you all, am yours ever affect(illegible text) husband, Tom.
Mrs Barker
36 Judges Drive
Liverpool
PS I hope you have got the Japanese things. Parcels go by English mail via Suez; they are larger than standard(illegible text) letters.