Cottage scene of a family, a man, woman, three children and baby, seated round a table in the corner of the room, writing a letter. On the right, the man, dressed in brown breeches, white shirt, and red waistcoat and neck tie, sits with a received letter in one hand, a map of South Australia on the table before him. The children are gathered closely together, intent on writing a letter on the table, the boy on the left holding the pen. The woman sits slightly apart from the group, her head turned slightly towards them, with a baby on her lap and a dog at her feet. She is wearing a green dress with a red apron, and a white bonnet. The baby attempts to pull a sock onto its right foot, copying its mother. Behind her, to the left, is a large black kitchen range, with the glow of a fire, and various toys and ornaments lining the mantelpiece.