Fonda de la Alameda
Malaga 20th January 1857 My dearest Mother, We were delighted to get your letter of the 9th inst. which reached us this morning bringing us the glad tidings that all are well at Churchfield with the exception of your cold which I trust will soon leave you. Dearest Cha’ continues better and has gained a little strength this week past although she has suffered quite as much from her cough as in the previous week but not more; she is able now to walk for 20 or 25 minutes after her drive in the calesh and continues able to sit up more when in the house. The weather has been very fine the last few days and favorable for invalids; some of them have been laid up with colds but the most seem more or less better than when they came here. Roddie, although he coughs occasionally, seems quite well and to enjoy himself more than at home. I am glad, as I am sure you are, to hear of the barley thrashing being nearly finished, and as the days lengthen and the weather improves, the labour will prove more to your satisfaction. I hope Burns and Walsh will meet a good market at Dervock and that they will be cautious in what warranty they give them. This is about the time that I usually kill a pig or two for house use; now I leave this entirely with you; but I will only say that if all the young pigs are under 1 cwt. weight and seem to be thriving I would not kill any but if otherwise you can determine whether it would be worthwhile killing or not; use your judgement and do as you think best. On thinking over the matter again I wish you to tell Mr. Douglas to put glass in the upper part of the present hall and alter it as we first arranged it to be done; he will not of course do this till the rest of the porch is finished as the house could not be left open in the winter. We hope Annie & Tom will not suffer from their cold drive and are very glad that they enjoyed themselves even a little, and that they were able to take some hares to Margaret as well as some for Dublin. I left money with Thomas to pay Mr. Lawless so I am sure he has attended to your letter. I am very glad to hear that the bullocks are doing well; which of them do you think is thriving best? How do you think the pigs are doing? And are the turnips holding out well; Tell Burns I will allow a small piece of ground in Drumaneel for gravel for the road but he must be careful to put aside the top earth first and afterward spread it carefully and sow grass seed. With regards to stones I think a good ditch might be made without stones in Boyle’s farm between the bog meadow and arable ground & _____ but not between R. McMichael’s field and mine at the foot of the garden and that stones should be got for this last one, but if the blasted stones in Losset are still there they might be used for the purpose. I am glad to hear that the sheep are well; they will need a little hay & turnips in the severe weather especially. Did you think of telling old Kitty to tell Laverty & Thompson to send their quarterly accounts on the first of January? Dear Cha’ had a drive for an hour today; it was rather windy and we had to drive up and down in a sheltered place & Cha’ walked for half an hour; afterwards when we comes in she lies down to dinner time on the sofa. I did not get a newspaper last week; did you forget to send me one or it may have been lost on the way. It is a very great comfort to us to hear so regularly from you which we could not had we gone to Madeira. Will you kindly forward the enclosed to Amy Newcomen and the little note for Margaret whenever you write to her. Roddie and I gathered a good many shells on the seaside yesterday; some of them are pretty and well worth keeping. Dearest Cha’ and Roddie join me in fond love to you and our dear little ones & in kind remembrance to all enquiring friends. & Believe me Dearest Mother Yours very affectionately John Casement. p.s. Roddie and I walked into the country on Sunday last; we saw some barley partially shot; spring is showing itself here. Catherine is quite well and nurse will please let her friends know that she is glad to hear of them. |
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January 20th
My dear Mrs Casement
Accept my best thanks for your great kindness in so constantly sending me such pleasant little notes about our dear boys. May God bless you for your care of them. When next you write we hope to hear your cold has left you _____ well ______ _____ _______ sayings & doings are so interesting to us & such a comfort it is that they are so healthy. I continue to suffer less but that there is any permanent improvement in my health I need hardly hope but my life is in God’s hands & his will be done. My long illness will lessen the sorrow to John when it comes; he knows so well my state being a medical man & he loves the best book his bible but I must not write so or it will sadden you perhaps. Rod was so glad to get bonnies note written by nurse & to hear of his two brothers’ drive that they were well & the dogs _____ & the pigeons; also he wishes to answer it ____ ____ ____ he goes up almost every day after dinner to enjoy _____ of play with his little friends Katie Lambert & William __ope the Russian gentleman. Nurse joins the ____ in the lobby with a beautiful little white dog which _____ the ____ & thay have great frolics & fun running about the lobby. Roddie always says he likes girls better than boys to play with. He has never a ______ moment on his hands but is most constant _____ his love for home. The nurse and Mr. Laurin called one day while we were out & finding Rod here he & his daughter took him home to dine & spend the day. Rod helped Mrs. Laurin to do ____ ____ & wash & _____ & water the garden. He saw gold & silver fish & got a little boat ____ _____ & many other amusements bedside his ____ ___ so pleased _____ two ______ his gloves; it was for her health’s sake Rev. & Mrs. Laurin came out 2 years time with Mrs. Laurin’s sister & their younger daughter also & several servants. It is a great sorrow to them how their youngest daughter is laid up for a year & a half with a spinal complaint obliged to lie always on her back & suffer much ; her bed is drawn before a window opened wide that she may have fresh air. They are kind. He blesses me & leads prayers for me; I fear you will miss Annie & _____.
Believe me your affectionate daughter
C. Casement
My dear Mrs Casement
Accept my best thanks for your great kindness in so constantly sending me such pleasant little notes about our dear boys. May God bless you for your care of them. When next you write we hope to hear your cold has left you _____ well ______ _____ _______ sayings & doings are so interesting to us & such a comfort it is that they are so healthy. I continue to suffer less but that there is any permanent improvement in my health I need hardly hope but my life is in God’s hands & his will be done. My long illness will lessen the sorrow to John when it comes; he knows so well my state being a medical man & he loves the best book his bible but I must not write so or it will sadden you perhaps. Rod was so glad to get bonnies note written by nurse & to hear of his two brothers’ drive that they were well & the dogs _____ & the pigeons; also he wishes to answer it ____ ____ ____ he goes up almost every day after dinner to enjoy _____ of play with his little friends Katie Lambert & William __ope the Russian gentleman. Nurse joins the ____ in the lobby with a beautiful little white dog which _____ the ____ & thay have great frolics & fun running about the lobby. Roddie always says he likes girls better than boys to play with. He has never a ______ moment on his hands but is most constant _____ his love for home. The nurse and Mr. Laurin called one day while we were out & finding Rod here he & his daughter took him home to dine & spend the day. Rod helped Mrs. Laurin to do ____ ____ & wash & _____ & water the garden. He saw gold & silver fish & got a little boat ____ _____ & many other amusements bedside his ____ ___ so pleased _____ two ______ his gloves; it was for her health’s sake Rev. & Mrs. Laurin came out 2 years time with Mrs. Laurin’s sister & their younger daughter also & several servants. It is a great sorrow to them how their youngest daughter is laid up for a year & a half with a spinal complaint obliged to lie always on her back & suffer much ; her bed is drawn before a window opened wide that she may have fresh air. They are kind. He blesses me & leads prayers for me; I fear you will miss Annie & _____.
Believe me your affectionate daughter
C. Casement