Dartmouth, April 1871

My dear Bob
Hail to the most noble one, I heard of all your great deeds in the holydays I shall get the boxing gloves if possible and we shall have great fun. I send you a picture of my most honoured and reverand self. I cannot get into a higher class except by time. Our holydays begin either on the 10^th or 15^th of July.

The paymaster’s boat was too crank for us but I think the Zeta would be very good, what do you think on the matter? If we could get the boat scraped and cleaned and caulked and a mainsail and jib it would do I think. I am going to get a few things for it when I get back. Possible I may come and see you as I go home, I wonder if they will let me shoot next holydays?. Try if you can get a boat? I hope to see you in July.