Handwritten letter from Emilie Tafel at 14 Rothbury Villas, London to John Pitcairn, Jr. Two pages, second page damaged and particularly fragile. On returning from Birmingham, the Tafel’s received the paper announcing Pitcairn’s safe arrival in New York. They have been expecting a letter from him ever since regarding the rest of his trip to Ireland and voyage home. Rather than wait, Mrs. Tafel has decided to send news and to say again how thankful she and Mr. Tafel are for Pitcairn’s kindness in taking them to Scotland. The trip strengthened and improved their health. They remained in Scotland a few days longer and took trips to Paisley and Glasgow, where they found good friends in Mr. and Mrs. Aspin. In both places, the people had many complaints about their ministers. Mr. Tafel attempted to mediate, but the people had been dissatisfied for too long, and now things stand worse than ever. They returned to London where Mrs. Tafel found her household in worse order than she left it. She ended up dismissing her “Excellent Girl” (the one who presented the flowerpots) when it was discovered that the Simple Good in her was very weak- she had evidently invited her young man over to the house on the day the Tafel’s had intended to travel to Birmingham. On such short notice, she was only able to find a 15-year-old girl to keep house. After a happy week in Birmingham, helping their New Church friends lay the groundwork for a new church, the Tafel’s returned home to work, Mr. Tafel on his Baptism paper and Mrs. Tafel on house and kitchen. She became ill again with eye inflammation and lumbago after a week. She struggled along with the 15-year-old girl until the 5th of July, before finding a New Church girl. Last week, they had the pleasure of hosting Mr. Chauncey Giles and accompanying him to several social events, including a reception in the Camden Road school room, a drive through Windsor Park, dinner at the Mosley’s, a visit to the Crystal Palace, a party at Mr. William’s, and a public welcoming at Argyle Square. On Sunday, Giles preached a strong New Church sermon which Mrs. Tafel will never forget, and on Friday he departed for the Continent with Mr. Frederic Allen who will take him as far as Munich. Giles will return in August for the Conference in Manchester, where he will stay with Mr. Edward Broadfield and the Tafel’s with Mr. Parkinson. They may decide to spend the second part of Mr. Tafel’s holiday at home so that he can work on the second volume of his documents. They hope to hear from Pitcairn soon- how it was when he arrived home, how is their friend Mr. Benade, how is Walter Childs getting on with his French servant. Pitcairn’s songs are still ringing in Mrs. Tafel’s ears: “I am a stranger, I’m a pilgrim,” “I asked her if she loved me, she said she was above me,” etc. She wishes Pitcairn would ask a girl if she loves him; No girl could say she is above him in nobleness and kindness of heart and mind. Pitcairn will soon see Mr. Tafel’s paper on Baptism which Mr. Teed and some other friends had printed. Mrs. Tafel’s mother and sister are now in Herrenalb in the Black Forest, enjoying a change of air. She hopes this letter will find them all well, and she sends their love to Walter Childs. Names mentioned: Mr. Rudolph Tafel, Mr. Aspin, Mrs. Aspin, Mr. Edie (Eadie?), Mr. Chauncey Giles, Mrs. Ada Mosley, Mr. Williams, Mr. Frederic Allen, Mr. Edward John Broadfield, Mr. Parkinson, Mr. (William Henry) Benade, Mr. Carter, Walter Childs, Mr. Warren, Mr. Teed Places mentioned: New York, Birmingham, Scotland, Ireland, Paisley, Glasgow, London, Kensington, Camden Road School Room, Windsor, Crystal Palace, Argyle Square, Munich, Manchester, Herrenalb, Black Forest, Switzerland