Fonda de la Alameda, Malaga
Tuesday Evening 17th February 1857
My dearest Mother,
As your anxiously looked for and welcome letter has not arrived as usual today as it usually does I will write a little this evening and finish and post it tomorrow. Since last writing dearest Cha’ has become a little stronger I think although the weather has been very unfavorable for out of door exercise from heavy rains and wind. If her cough were less troublesome I would think her improving. The temperature has risen considerably; so we do not any longer find the want of a fire which is a great comfort to us. Roddie appears to have got rid of the irritation in his throat; I hope it will not return and is very well. Catherine is quite well also and when I told her that our absence from home was now about half over she seemed astonished and said surely you will not stay four months longer. It is not four months till the 1st of June but I think if dearest Cha’s health appears to continue to be benefited by her stay here it will not be wise to reach home sooner than the 1st of June as there is often very cold weather in May. I trust you will not be wearied with your long stay at Churchfield and its attendant cases; it is another instance of your affection for us in addition to the many already shown us. We hope however if you are able to remain so long that you will take good care of yourself and make arrangements to pay or receive some visits to or from the girls or Julius. We feel very anxious to hear how Lizzy is and trust your next letter will bring us good news. There have been several departures and arrivals since this day week; among the latter Colonel & Mrs.Atherly with a nurse and three children at the Victoria Hotel. Colonel A is in delicate health but is quite able to walk about. I recognized Mrs. Atherly but as Cha’ is not able to pay or receive visits it is not likely I will renew my acquaintance with her. I would like some Wellington potatoes in part of the field below the garden sufficient for the use of the House till about the 1st of Oct. & for seed and the remainder of the small field and half an acre in the low farm next the meadow with cruffles and an acre of American whites beside them: You might make any change that would seem an improvement to this. In the rest of the low farm half a rood of carrots for the horses and a rood of ______ and the rest turnips might be a good arrangement if the work and weather suited. Wednesday. Your kind and welcome letter of the 6th has just reached us bringing the welcome tidings that you and the dear children are well and that dear Lizzie is improving. I trust the change to Dublin will completely restore her. I am sorry at the provoking way in which Mr. Knowles sent you the balance, but I trust when in B’mena you have been able to arrange it. I am glad that Mrs. R. has got the money safely. We hope that you have had a favorable day for your drive to B’mena and when you get there that you will find everything will be safe and nothing the worse of your absence. I am well pleased to think that we have sufficient supply of hay and straw for the sheep, horses and cattle; and after the unusually severe winter we may be blessed with a more favorable spring and summer. If the Brockey sheep are fit for the butcher I would dispose of them; if not they must be coupled and any dangerous holes filled up. I entirely agree with you and Burns that four horses are too many to have and that one of them must be sold. I would prefer to sell the grey mare but if this cannot be done without a sacrifice and a fair price, say £24 or £25, can be got for Tom I would sell him, but one or other must be sold. I am afraid owing to the season being so unfavorable it will be best to leave the ditch between R. McMichael and me till next year. I am very glad to find that Margaret & baby were quite well when they left you. I think it the best way to sell any oats there may be to spare at the first convenient market and not to be holding over. But there are two stacks of oats from Scotch seed that perhaps would be suitable for sale as seed; at all events I will require it for seed for myself and it ought to be thrashed in time. Thank you for the amount you sent me. I think it shows how much can be done with £100 if laid out with care. I hope you will have enough to carry you on till I return. The last three times I have been charged 20d instead of 10d for your letters, as they say here they are above ¼ oz. altho’ in England they pass as not above ¼ oz.. They did not charge so before. It is probable a very little thing would make the difference. Cha’ desires me to thank you very much for kind note and for all the trouble you take in supplying the children’s wants in the way of dress which we are sure now must be very great it is long since they got anything. She would like to have the children’s hair cut certainly and she thinks Eliza might improve the sit of their hair by carefully brushing it three times a day. She is not strong enough to write without suffering from it afterwards. She had a drive in the calesh today; the air has become warm and mild but there was rather too much wind for walking in the Alameda today; will you kindly forward the enclosed notes, one for Amy Newcomen and one for Annie. Roddie was greatly pleased with his note from brothers Brab and Johnnie; he is now out walking with Catherine after his dinner. He walks for about an hour and a half with me from half past ten to twelve when the weather is fine and he sends his love to you & them and to his nurse and the other servants. Cha’ joins me in affectionate love to you and the two dear boys and in kind regards to all enquiring friends. We would like you to give Brab a penny a week when he is good
& believe me Dearest Mother,
Yours most affectionately,
John Casement.
Tuesday Evening 17th February 1857
My dearest Mother,
As your anxiously looked for and welcome letter has not arrived as usual today as it usually does I will write a little this evening and finish and post it tomorrow. Since last writing dearest Cha’ has become a little stronger I think although the weather has been very unfavorable for out of door exercise from heavy rains and wind. If her cough were less troublesome I would think her improving. The temperature has risen considerably; so we do not any longer find the want of a fire which is a great comfort to us. Roddie appears to have got rid of the irritation in his throat; I hope it will not return and is very well. Catherine is quite well also and when I told her that our absence from home was now about half over she seemed astonished and said surely you will not stay four months longer. It is not four months till the 1st of June but I think if dearest Cha’s health appears to continue to be benefited by her stay here it will not be wise to reach home sooner than the 1st of June as there is often very cold weather in May. I trust you will not be wearied with your long stay at Churchfield and its attendant cases; it is another instance of your affection for us in addition to the many already shown us. We hope however if you are able to remain so long that you will take good care of yourself and make arrangements to pay or receive some visits to or from the girls or Julius. We feel very anxious to hear how Lizzy is and trust your next letter will bring us good news. There have been several departures and arrivals since this day week; among the latter Colonel & Mrs.Atherly with a nurse and three children at the Victoria Hotel. Colonel A is in delicate health but is quite able to walk about. I recognized Mrs. Atherly but as Cha’ is not able to pay or receive visits it is not likely I will renew my acquaintance with her. I would like some Wellington potatoes in part of the field below the garden sufficient for the use of the House till about the 1st of Oct. & for seed and the remainder of the small field and half an acre in the low farm next the meadow with cruffles and an acre of American whites beside them: You might make any change that would seem an improvement to this. In the rest of the low farm half a rood of carrots for the horses and a rood of ______ and the rest turnips might be a good arrangement if the work and weather suited. Wednesday. Your kind and welcome letter of the 6th has just reached us bringing the welcome tidings that you and the dear children are well and that dear Lizzie is improving. I trust the change to Dublin will completely restore her. I am sorry at the provoking way in which Mr. Knowles sent you the balance, but I trust when in B’mena you have been able to arrange it. I am glad that Mrs. R. has got the money safely. We hope that you have had a favorable day for your drive to B’mena and when you get there that you will find everything will be safe and nothing the worse of your absence. I am well pleased to think that we have sufficient supply of hay and straw for the sheep, horses and cattle; and after the unusually severe winter we may be blessed with a more favorable spring and summer. If the Brockey sheep are fit for the butcher I would dispose of them; if not they must be coupled and any dangerous holes filled up. I entirely agree with you and Burns that four horses are too many to have and that one of them must be sold. I would prefer to sell the grey mare but if this cannot be done without a sacrifice and a fair price, say £24 or £25, can be got for Tom I would sell him, but one or other must be sold. I am afraid owing to the season being so unfavorable it will be best to leave the ditch between R. McMichael and me till next year. I am very glad to find that Margaret & baby were quite well when they left you. I think it the best way to sell any oats there may be to spare at the first convenient market and not to be holding over. But there are two stacks of oats from Scotch seed that perhaps would be suitable for sale as seed; at all events I will require it for seed for myself and it ought to be thrashed in time. Thank you for the amount you sent me. I think it shows how much can be done with £100 if laid out with care. I hope you will have enough to carry you on till I return. The last three times I have been charged 20d instead of 10d for your letters, as they say here they are above ¼ oz. altho’ in England they pass as not above ¼ oz.. They did not charge so before. It is probable a very little thing would make the difference. Cha’ desires me to thank you very much for kind note and for all the trouble you take in supplying the children’s wants in the way of dress which we are sure now must be very great it is long since they got anything. She would like to have the children’s hair cut certainly and she thinks Eliza might improve the sit of their hair by carefully brushing it three times a day. She is not strong enough to write without suffering from it afterwards. She had a drive in the calesh today; the air has become warm and mild but there was rather too much wind for walking in the Alameda today; will you kindly forward the enclosed notes, one for Amy Newcomen and one for Annie. Roddie was greatly pleased with his note from brothers Brab and Johnnie; he is now out walking with Catherine after his dinner. He walks for about an hour and a half with me from half past ten to twelve when the weather is fine and he sends his love to you & them and to his nurse and the other servants. Cha’ joins me in affectionate love to you and the two dear boys and in kind regards to all enquiring friends. We would like you to give Brab a penny a week when he is good
& believe me Dearest Mother,
Yours most affectionately,
John Casement.