Fonda de Alemeda Malaga,
Monday, 22nd December 1856
My dearest Mother,
Your very kind letter to Charlotte & me of the 8th instant reached us safely on Thursday last, the 18th conveying us the pleasing tidings that you are better and that our two dear boys are well and happy. It is the greatest pleasure we enjoy in our temporary exile to hear such good news from home. The newspaper also came safely. Dearest Cha. appeared to be improving in the beginning of last week and the two drives we are able to take seemed to be doing her good; but Thursday was too cold to venture out and on Friday heavy rain fell and on Saturday it blew quite a storm moderated a little yesterday; the confinement for so many days & the cold in the house has put her back a little. As the day is calm and sunny I expect she will be able to have a drive and that she will begin to improve again. Roddie is well and takes a walk with me every day after his lessons are over for an hour or so and soon after we come in we take a drive; that is Cha’ and I when the day is favourable; we had a letter from Moore and Elizabeth last week and one from Mrs. Bourchin; it was so pleasant to hear so much from dear old Ireland in one week. Several have been suffering from rheumatism here since the rain came on. There is nothing new here; the people are quite quiet and there has not been the slightest disturbance since we came. The hotels are all full; I find that gold is the best way to bring money as it can be exchanged to better advantage; the only drawback is the fear of losing it. I think you are managing everything well and that the work is advanced further that I expected it would. The bad weather and short days of winter have often tried my patience greatly, as it is doing yours. I know barley of the common kind is most tedious to thrash and prepare for the market; it makes a considerable difference after in the price to have it well snodded & cleaned besides the credit of the matter and I had often to take in Kate Scally for a week or two at the time it was being thrashed out and the poor woman needs a little work in the winter; I would like better if she were not getting a little knowing but there is no one without some fault. Do not Dear Mother trouble yourself too much about their little faults or failings in the men but make as much allowance as you can for them & if they become insufferable act as if they were your own servants and dismiss them; you have full authority from me to do what you think right only I trust you will not vex yourself too much about these matters. I may have been wrong in keeping over the flax but as I have done it I would prefer holding it to the end of the season. The money I left you has lasted longer than I thought it would; I thought you would have had to lodge a deposit receipt before the first of December. We are glad to hear Tom is getting better of his lameness but I would like to hear of you taking an occasional drive when you have spare horses and be sure to send R. Dillon for salt water for your arm & shoulder. We are glad to hear old Kitty is well. We are glad to hear George & Julius are enjoying good health; Julius is kind in offering to buy the sheep rack from us. It is very pleasant for them to live so near each other. How very early winter has set in with you. Perhaps the storm which prevailed in Dublin & the south of Ireland on the 10th inst. did not reach you; it is described as the greatest that has been there for three years. I expect this will reach you on New Year’s day and we hope it will find you & the dear children & all well and that it will be to you the commencement of a happy year and a year of health and enjoyments. Roddie joins us in fond love & kisses to you and dear Brab & Johnnie. Remember us kindly to all enquiring friends & believe our Dearest Mother,
Yours very affectionately,
John Casement
We forgot when on sending Lizzie’s note to tell her anything about Roddie; when you are writing you will tell that he is well. I hope Margaret & her little baby will be able to visit you before Cxmas & that Annie will be with you on Cxmas day.
We wish you to buy a box of Raisins and one of Figs and to use them and to give some to the children. Occasionally. If Miss Nelson has none she will get them for you I am sure. Dearest Cha’ takes all the care she can of herself and does what I wish her; she does not overexert herself in doing any needlework.
J.C.
Monday, 22nd December 1856
My dearest Mother,
Your very kind letter to Charlotte & me of the 8th instant reached us safely on Thursday last, the 18th conveying us the pleasing tidings that you are better and that our two dear boys are well and happy. It is the greatest pleasure we enjoy in our temporary exile to hear such good news from home. The newspaper also came safely. Dearest Cha. appeared to be improving in the beginning of last week and the two drives we are able to take seemed to be doing her good; but Thursday was too cold to venture out and on Friday heavy rain fell and on Saturday it blew quite a storm moderated a little yesterday; the confinement for so many days & the cold in the house has put her back a little. As the day is calm and sunny I expect she will be able to have a drive and that she will begin to improve again. Roddie is well and takes a walk with me every day after his lessons are over for an hour or so and soon after we come in we take a drive; that is Cha’ and I when the day is favourable; we had a letter from Moore and Elizabeth last week and one from Mrs. Bourchin; it was so pleasant to hear so much from dear old Ireland in one week. Several have been suffering from rheumatism here since the rain came on. There is nothing new here; the people are quite quiet and there has not been the slightest disturbance since we came. The hotels are all full; I find that gold is the best way to bring money as it can be exchanged to better advantage; the only drawback is the fear of losing it. I think you are managing everything well and that the work is advanced further that I expected it would. The bad weather and short days of winter have often tried my patience greatly, as it is doing yours. I know barley of the common kind is most tedious to thrash and prepare for the market; it makes a considerable difference after in the price to have it well snodded & cleaned besides the credit of the matter and I had often to take in Kate Scally for a week or two at the time it was being thrashed out and the poor woman needs a little work in the winter; I would like better if she were not getting a little knowing but there is no one without some fault. Do not Dear Mother trouble yourself too much about their little faults or failings in the men but make as much allowance as you can for them & if they become insufferable act as if they were your own servants and dismiss them; you have full authority from me to do what you think right only I trust you will not vex yourself too much about these matters. I may have been wrong in keeping over the flax but as I have done it I would prefer holding it to the end of the season. The money I left you has lasted longer than I thought it would; I thought you would have had to lodge a deposit receipt before the first of December. We are glad to hear Tom is getting better of his lameness but I would like to hear of you taking an occasional drive when you have spare horses and be sure to send R. Dillon for salt water for your arm & shoulder. We are glad to hear old Kitty is well. We are glad to hear George & Julius are enjoying good health; Julius is kind in offering to buy the sheep rack from us. It is very pleasant for them to live so near each other. How very early winter has set in with you. Perhaps the storm which prevailed in Dublin & the south of Ireland on the 10th inst. did not reach you; it is described as the greatest that has been there for three years. I expect this will reach you on New Year’s day and we hope it will find you & the dear children & all well and that it will be to you the commencement of a happy year and a year of health and enjoyments. Roddie joins us in fond love & kisses to you and dear Brab & Johnnie. Remember us kindly to all enquiring friends & believe our Dearest Mother,
Yours very affectionately,
John Casement
We forgot when on sending Lizzie’s note to tell her anything about Roddie; when you are writing you will tell that he is well. I hope Margaret & her little baby will be able to visit you before Cxmas & that Annie will be with you on Cxmas day.
We wish you to buy a box of Raisins and one of Figs and to use them and to give some to the children. Occasionally. If Miss Nelson has none she will get them for you I am sure. Dearest Cha’ takes all the care she can of herself and does what I wish her; she does not overexert herself in doing any needlework.
J.C.
