MS West Devon Record Office Acc 1092/6

My dear Anne
A great many thanks for the news yesterday, and the Barnacles today, if Alethea gives her son the 2nd name of Bargus it would be applicable considering the story of the Gentleman who took up the spoon with the stork crest and said ‘This confirms it, I always thought your name was derived from Barnacle Goose, and now I see it.’ What a capital picture too, and the old gentleman seems so perfectly satisfied. Mamma says she thinks it is less trouble if there are a great many children that they should be all of one sort, so she does not join in Tom Gilbert’s condolence. The Terns are capital, and many thanks, but Julian does not agree to yours being a common one, he says that the common ones are larger and more buff in colour, one came flying up quite near at Teignmouth. He says what he wants chiefly of the Shag’s feet is the black leather, and if that will not dry properly he does not care about the bones. He is comforting Rover who is very jealous of little Pincher. Thank you about the electricity but it would not do to copy from the Saturday Magazine, nor indeed absolutely to copy from anything for more than an extract- What I meant was some account of the meaning of St Elmo’s light the sparks on a cat’s back, the story of Franklin’s kite &c but if this cannot be done so as to be moderately entertaining of course we had better not attempt it. The actual writing is nothing, as I don’t see that more is required than having something to say, and knowing grammar, but you must not think I am disappointed I only thought it was worth while to ask whether Duke’s lecture could be turned to the general good.

your most affectionate
CMY