John Frederick Lewis letter to William Vokins, 1863 December 25

"Xmas Day 1863. My dear Vokins, Poor Thackeray has gone! I suppose you saw this morning an account of his death in the "Times". Poor fellow. What a loss! & so young too. At one time I knew him well. Your note gratified me much this morning & when I opened & saw the Photograph, I thought you had put your real self in - & had got somebody to seal you up! Thanks for it - it is very like [...] God knows yet what I shall get by April - I will do my best, if my health holds out - which (I thank God most sincerely) it does at present. The devouring bird shall not find me backward in chucking him tit bits - but he must not be too sanguine - & wait patiently till feeding time. - I will try our friend P. about the girl in the Garden, but as I do not touch that yet, we will say nought at present about it. Do you mean to occupy both houses? or turn one into workrooms? I think your brother wise in his move - Hendon is pretty, very pretty - & I should think his wife wd like it. Besides it will be nice for you & yours to run down to occasionally - Mrs. Lewis thanks you for the Photo. We both write in kind regards & believe [...] to me ever [...] Yours, J.F. Lewis W.V. Esq." William Makepeace Thackeray died 24 December 1863 at age 52.