Fonda de Alameda
Malaga, 24th February 1857
My dearest Mother,
Your kind and welcome letter of the 13th reached us safely today; we sincerely trust that dear Brab’s illness will not be serious indeed; hitherto we feel most thankful that the two dear boys have been so well and free from colds and we hope that the merciful God who has hitherto so carefully preserved you all from harm will continue to do so. Dearest Cha’ appeared to be maintaining her improvement until Sunday which was wet & damp when in the evening she became feverish with increased cough and she seemed as if she had caught some fresh cold; she got her feet bathed, took some ______ and had a mustard poultice applied to her chest and stayed in bed all yesterday and has got up today between four and five. I think that the cold has been removed but she feels weakened by the lying in bed; this I expected, but if the weather prove fine (it has been wet the last three days) I hope she will regain the lost ground in two or three days. Roddie is in excellent health and spirits. I am confident you will get the painting of the house done better and more satisfactorily than I could have done and it is a great comfort to me to think it is being done as it was much wanted and it could not have been while Charlotte was delicate and at home. I know not what is best to be done now about the horses; perhaps this will be best to sell the grey mare; turn Tom into the farm entirely and keep the filly for the car. I need a car for hacking about home, taking the children to bathe and going to the Mountain; and if the car is worth repairing I would like to have it done so and I do not care where it is so done whether in Ballycastle or where I bought it in Coleraine or B’mena whichever is thought best. Cha’ desires me to say that she was pleased with Eliza’s note and is glad that Brab has been good at B’mena and hopes he will be soon better and she is glad you have got some clothes for him and Johnnie. She thinks that unless you have to leave C’field it is better for the children to remain under your care as Eliza is not much accustomed to travelling and Brab requires a great deal of watching he is so apt to run in to danger; and so this visit to Virginia must be postponed to some better opportunity. It is very pleasant that you found your house not the worse of your long absence and that nothing was amiss. Lizzie is getting better we are glad to find by your letter but we hope to hear still better accounts in your next. Dear Cha’ is anxious to hear what you think of the porch, if you think it is an improvement to the comfort and appearance of the house. I am glad to hear Julius is well and that Robert has been to see you and that he has lately heard of his son being well in India. You do not mention George. I am sure if he had been at home he would have been to see you before you wrote. I enclose a little note for Brab & Johnnie and one for Dora and Mr. Knowles which you will be kind enough to forward. There has been nothing new here since last writing; four or five out of the seven have been wet and on the other hand Friday & Saturday even most lovely and enjoyable days. Mr. Torr the young clergyman invalid is lying very poorly, spitting blood very frequently and Mr. _____ the old gentleman in this hotel is better but he is variable and his recovery is very slow. I think these are the only invalids who are confined to bed. Indeed Mr. Brereton has been confined to his house for a fortnight and several of his family have been ill likewise. When writing to Lizzie give our united kind love and best wishes for her recovery. We unite in fond love to you and in fond love & kisses to our two dear boys and in kind regards to all enquiring friends.
Believe me dearest Mother,
Your most affectionate son,
John Casement.
Malaga, 24th February 1857
My dearest Mother,
Your kind and welcome letter of the 13th reached us safely today; we sincerely trust that dear Brab’s illness will not be serious indeed; hitherto we feel most thankful that the two dear boys have been so well and free from colds and we hope that the merciful God who has hitherto so carefully preserved you all from harm will continue to do so. Dearest Cha’ appeared to be maintaining her improvement until Sunday which was wet & damp when in the evening she became feverish with increased cough and she seemed as if she had caught some fresh cold; she got her feet bathed, took some ______ and had a mustard poultice applied to her chest and stayed in bed all yesterday and has got up today between four and five. I think that the cold has been removed but she feels weakened by the lying in bed; this I expected, but if the weather prove fine (it has been wet the last three days) I hope she will regain the lost ground in two or three days. Roddie is in excellent health and spirits. I am confident you will get the painting of the house done better and more satisfactorily than I could have done and it is a great comfort to me to think it is being done as it was much wanted and it could not have been while Charlotte was delicate and at home. I know not what is best to be done now about the horses; perhaps this will be best to sell the grey mare; turn Tom into the farm entirely and keep the filly for the car. I need a car for hacking about home, taking the children to bathe and going to the Mountain; and if the car is worth repairing I would like to have it done so and I do not care where it is so done whether in Ballycastle or where I bought it in Coleraine or B’mena whichever is thought best. Cha’ desires me to say that she was pleased with Eliza’s note and is glad that Brab has been good at B’mena and hopes he will be soon better and she is glad you have got some clothes for him and Johnnie. She thinks that unless you have to leave C’field it is better for the children to remain under your care as Eliza is not much accustomed to travelling and Brab requires a great deal of watching he is so apt to run in to danger; and so this visit to Virginia must be postponed to some better opportunity. It is very pleasant that you found your house not the worse of your long absence and that nothing was amiss. Lizzie is getting better we are glad to find by your letter but we hope to hear still better accounts in your next. Dear Cha’ is anxious to hear what you think of the porch, if you think it is an improvement to the comfort and appearance of the house. I am glad to hear Julius is well and that Robert has been to see you and that he has lately heard of his son being well in India. You do not mention George. I am sure if he had been at home he would have been to see you before you wrote. I enclose a little note for Brab & Johnnie and one for Dora and Mr. Knowles which you will be kind enough to forward. There has been nothing new here since last writing; four or five out of the seven have been wet and on the other hand Friday & Saturday even most lovely and enjoyable days. Mr. Torr the young clergyman invalid is lying very poorly, spitting blood very frequently and Mr. _____ the old gentleman in this hotel is better but he is variable and his recovery is very slow. I think these are the only invalids who are confined to bed. Indeed Mr. Brereton has been confined to his house for a fortnight and several of his family have been ill likewise. When writing to Lizzie give our united kind love and best wishes for her recovery. We unite in fond love to you and in fond love & kisses to our two dear boys and in kind regards to all enquiring friends.
Believe me dearest Mother,
Your most affectionate son,
John Casement.