02Mar1866, Glimpses of the Deep, Wide Misery

LONDON, March 2nd, 1866.
—Many calls in the afternoon ; last but not least, upon George, Mary, Agnes, and Bertram Talbot ; who were all at home and delighted to see me and a picture-book I brought. They were sitting like olive-branches round about the table, at tea : all blooming, merry, and rosy. O such contrasts to a poor tiny whose mother came this morning for a beef-tea ticket ; and whose little year of life seemed to have been all suffering and cold and starvation. I have been thinking of it revived by the good beef-tea ; but it is terrible to know that I only see glimpses of the deep, wide misery all round us, and can hardly do any good.