The letter was written to a member of the Jewish family lived next door to the Burne-Jones's in Bennett's Hill, Birmingham. She had recently married and moved to London and Burne-Jones's object was to announce the safe return of an aunt who had been visiting her but scrupled to write herself on the Jewish Sabbath. The drawing shows Burne-Jones and his cat Tom, running to join the reunion. The reference to 'state affairs' and the signature - Edw. C.B. Jones Archp of Canterbury (elect)' are a joking reference to Burne-Jones's clerical ambitions at this date.