
Fonda de la Alameda, Malaga
Tuesday Evening, 27th January 1857
My dearest Mother,
Your very kind and long letter of the 16th instant has just reached us and we are delighted to hear such a good account of the children’s health and hope that as you do not mention it that your cold is now quite well. We fear you run too much risk in looking too closely after the gardener and the work of the farm. Remember that health is a most precious gift and ought to be taken great care of. Since writing to you on this day week we have had some windy, wet _____ and disagreeable weather and dearest Cha’ was confined to the house for four days in succession, and has felt weaker and more poorly and is only able to walk so long after the drive in the calesh as she did then. She suffers from pain in the back and yesterday I got a pitch of _____ nicely made __ which seems to have done her some good. Both sides of the chest are affected but I hope it may be allowed that the disease will proceed no further and that what is now affected may be permitted to heal up. The weather for the past three days is more sunny and dearest Cha’ has been able to go out in the calesh although it is rather cold. As the winter is creeping past I trust I will be able to give you a more favorable account in my next letter. Dear Roddy is very well notwithstanding that he has some irritation in his throat; he has some nice games of play with Katie Lambut & Willie Roo_e in the lobby of the hotel; he is fond accompanying me in any visits I pay and is generally made much of; he is also frequently my my companion in my walks; I hear him a few lessons every morning and he is learning addition. We are so glad to hear that dear Brab & Johnnie are good and learn their little lessons. I had a letty from Mgt. today which gave me all the news you mention and much more besides: We are pleased to hear such a good account of our little nieces and hope that they have been able to pay you their promised visit ere this. Had I known that William Young was so shortly to be married to Jane Armstrong I would have wihed him much happiness when I was answering a letter he wrote me a few days ago about a piece of ground to build a manse on for Mr. Hamilton at Cullybackey. I am sorry to hear that there was only £17 10/- offered for the grey mare but as I do not want her she will have to be sold at a fair market price which can be ascertained by having her taken to some other of the good spring fairs: with regard to Tom if a fair price cannot be got for him and that Walsh thinks he can improve his feet it is better not to sell him. Dearest Cha’ and I are very sorry to hear that Lizzy has been suffering from cold but we hope and expect that as Moore has taken such prompt steps in calling in the doctor when we next hear from you she will be in the way af getting well: it is pleasant to hear that Annie & Tom Luscombe reached home without catching cold. I am glad that you have made an arrangement about the painting and papering the house and I expect Mr. Douglas will see that the work will be well done and that good stuff, that is paints and oils, will be used. If Mr. Douglas you a pan of attiring the old hall door & side lights in a eat & nice manner suitable to the rest of the porch and at a reasonable price I think it would be best to have it done, but if not would you not think it well to get the old hall door cut and attired to his original plan. In the door leading from the hall into the kitchen we think there should be put two panes of glass in the top panel; and do you think could anything be done to prevent the kitchen smoke injuring the hall and whole house as it has done hitherto. It was kind of Thomas writing to ask you about your house; if the family had many children they might injure your furniture but if this was not the case or they were grown up I think perhaps you might have let it for some months. I asked Dora in a note some time ago to send you my magazines if any opportunity occurred; if you had any you might have them called for. I am glad to hear the barley has been disposed of and I think the price very fair. Now I think D. Dillon ought to keep the cattle going in the barn excepting at the clearing of the oats when he will need some help. We do hope you will be able to go to Ballymena for a fortnight at least after Margaret leaves you; the change would do you much good I am sure. You will kindly give our love our love to Margt., Lizzie, Annie, George & Julius when you write and to Dr. O’Connor and all enquiring friends our kind remembrance. Last year I was rather late in having the manure heaps turned; those for potatoes ought soon now be attached and the lime & moss I suppose likewise. If you would get R. Dillon & H. McGill engaged in a long job of this kind or such as this and A. Burns engaged in ploughing and attending the cattle with turnips I think you might get away more safely. For R. Dillon does not loke much to be ordered about from one job to another by any person and especially Burns. The English people here are very kind but dear Cha’ is not equal to see them often. The Ladies of the Christmas Tree Roddie a fine large pot of blackcurrant jam. Indeed everyone is kind to him. Cha’ desires me to thank you for your kind note to her but I have prohibited her writing this time. She was glad to get Nurse’s also and to hear that she has commenced making drawers for Johnnie who she thinks will require them much by the time they are made. I enclose a note for Dora which you will kindly forward. You have had certainly a great deal of trouble the improvements finished which I left; now I hope as most of them are completed as the weather improves you will have more comfort and less care; but I fear you will have some torment with the painting keeping the children out of it. Mr. Brereton has promised to administer the sacraments to Cha’ & me on next Sunday after the communion is over in the Consul’s house. Dearest Cha’ & Roddie join me in fondest love to you and the children. Catherine is well & nurse might let her mother know this.
Believe me dearest Mother,
Yours very affectionately
John Casement.
Tuesday Evening, 27th January 1857
My dearest Mother,
Your very kind and long letter of the 16th instant has just reached us and we are delighted to hear such a good account of the children’s health and hope that as you do not mention it that your cold is now quite well. We fear you run too much risk in looking too closely after the gardener and the work of the farm. Remember that health is a most precious gift and ought to be taken great care of. Since writing to you on this day week we have had some windy, wet _____ and disagreeable weather and dearest Cha’ was confined to the house for four days in succession, and has felt weaker and more poorly and is only able to walk so long after the drive in the calesh as she did then. She suffers from pain in the back and yesterday I got a pitch of _____ nicely made __ which seems to have done her some good. Both sides of the chest are affected but I hope it may be allowed that the disease will proceed no further and that what is now affected may be permitted to heal up. The weather for the past three days is more sunny and dearest Cha’ has been able to go out in the calesh although it is rather cold. As the winter is creeping past I trust I will be able to give you a more favorable account in my next letter. Dear Roddy is very well notwithstanding that he has some irritation in his throat; he has some nice games of play with Katie Lambut & Willie Roo_e in the lobby of the hotel; he is fond accompanying me in any visits I pay and is generally made much of; he is also frequently my my companion in my walks; I hear him a few lessons every morning and he is learning addition. We are so glad to hear that dear Brab & Johnnie are good and learn their little lessons. I had a letty from Mgt. today which gave me all the news you mention and much more besides: We are pleased to hear such a good account of our little nieces and hope that they have been able to pay you their promised visit ere this. Had I known that William Young was so shortly to be married to Jane Armstrong I would have wihed him much happiness when I was answering a letter he wrote me a few days ago about a piece of ground to build a manse on for Mr. Hamilton at Cullybackey. I am sorry to hear that there was only £17 10/- offered for the grey mare but as I do not want her she will have to be sold at a fair market price which can be ascertained by having her taken to some other of the good spring fairs: with regard to Tom if a fair price cannot be got for him and that Walsh thinks he can improve his feet it is better not to sell him. Dearest Cha’ and I are very sorry to hear that Lizzy has been suffering from cold but we hope and expect that as Moore has taken such prompt steps in calling in the doctor when we next hear from you she will be in the way af getting well: it is pleasant to hear that Annie & Tom Luscombe reached home without catching cold. I am glad that you have made an arrangement about the painting and papering the house and I expect Mr. Douglas will see that the work will be well done and that good stuff, that is paints and oils, will be used. If Mr. Douglas you a pan of attiring the old hall door & side lights in a eat & nice manner suitable to the rest of the porch and at a reasonable price I think it would be best to have it done, but if not would you not think it well to get the old hall door cut and attired to his original plan. In the door leading from the hall into the kitchen we think there should be put two panes of glass in the top panel; and do you think could anything be done to prevent the kitchen smoke injuring the hall and whole house as it has done hitherto. It was kind of Thomas writing to ask you about your house; if the family had many children they might injure your furniture but if this was not the case or they were grown up I think perhaps you might have let it for some months. I asked Dora in a note some time ago to send you my magazines if any opportunity occurred; if you had any you might have them called for. I am glad to hear the barley has been disposed of and I think the price very fair. Now I think D. Dillon ought to keep the cattle going in the barn excepting at the clearing of the oats when he will need some help. We do hope you will be able to go to Ballymena for a fortnight at least after Margaret leaves you; the change would do you much good I am sure. You will kindly give our love our love to Margt., Lizzie, Annie, George & Julius when you write and to Dr. O’Connor and all enquiring friends our kind remembrance. Last year I was rather late in having the manure heaps turned; those for potatoes ought soon now be attached and the lime & moss I suppose likewise. If you would get R. Dillon & H. McGill engaged in a long job of this kind or such as this and A. Burns engaged in ploughing and attending the cattle with turnips I think you might get away more safely. For R. Dillon does not loke much to be ordered about from one job to another by any person and especially Burns. The English people here are very kind but dear Cha’ is not equal to see them often. The Ladies of the Christmas Tree Roddie a fine large pot of blackcurrant jam. Indeed everyone is kind to him. Cha’ desires me to thank you for your kind note to her but I have prohibited her writing this time. She was glad to get Nurse’s also and to hear that she has commenced making drawers for Johnnie who she thinks will require them much by the time they are made. I enclose a note for Dora which you will kindly forward. You have had certainly a great deal of trouble the improvements finished which I left; now I hope as most of them are completed as the weather improves you will have more comfort and less care; but I fear you will have some torment with the painting keeping the children out of it. Mr. Brereton has promised to administer the sacraments to Cha’ & me on next Sunday after the communion is over in the Consul’s house. Dearest Cha’ & Roddie join me in fondest love to you and the children. Catherine is well & nurse might let her mother know this.
Believe me dearest Mother,
Yours very affectionately
John Casement.