Fonda de la Alameda,
Malaga, Monday 29th Dec 1856 My dearest Mother, Since last writing to you on this day week dearest Cha’ felt a little better until yesterday, and was able to take for an hour each day, but on Saturday night she did not rest well and fell poorly yesterday and feels so today also; it disappoints us greatly to find that the improvement she seems to make is entirely done away with by a bad night’s rest: Gods ways are not however as our ways, he knows what is best for us and we must acknowledge this even when he chooses to afflict us with pain and sickness or those whom we love; but we may pray to him to remove this sickness as David did for his child when he was sick; we have indeed much to be thankful for; that our dear children are so well and happy and that you and our dear brothers & sisters enjoy good health; and for your very kind and welcome letters which so regularly bring us accounts of them and of the progress of the Farm under your kind care. Your last letter of the 13th December reached us safely on the 23rd, two days before Cxmas day and the Newspaper on the 26th. It is so pleasant to hear that you are all well notwithstanding the cold and stormy weather you have had and that the previous year did not suffer from the high wind. The barley is turning out as well as I expected as it was far from a good crop. In farming we have to balance the good against the bad. I had told McGill about a few drains in the field adjoining Burns’ house before leaving home, and if he is not busy at anything there are some stones to be blasted in the same field and in the field the field where the turnips are which I would like done when the weather is suitable. There is also a ditch to be made between the Bog Meadow and the part that A. Burns has ploughed which aught to be quicked and planted with sallies. If the letters we send you do not exceed ¼ ounce you will have to pay ten pence only on each letter when it arrives from us. It does seem so strange that the letters I send you only cost 10d & thon which you send me cost 20d one half paid by you and one half by me. We feel quite satisfied by hearing once a week from you and receiving a newspaper. Your letters are so satisfactory and so interesting. We hope dearest Mother you have passed a pleasant Cxmas and that Annie and Tom Luscombe have joined you as you expected; their society would be of infinite use to you and I trust the change will do them good and that Tom will enjoy some good coursing when he is down and that Annie may be able to join him too. As I promised to write to her I enclose a little note for Mrs. Miller which you will be kind enough to have posted. She and indeed the whole family were always kind to Cha’ and particularly now when she was ill that I promised to write to her how she was when we were some time settled at Malaga. I also send a note for Burns and one for R. Dillon which you may read and then give them to them. I think it very strange indeed if they cannot agree to work together amicably for a month and it must not be so. Cxmas passes very quietly and pleasantly with us. The dinner was unusually large and well supplied with fruits and sweetmeats so much so as to prevent us eating as much as usual. The Cxmas Market which lasted for three days was very amusing. There was supplies with quantities of oranges, lemons, wallnuts, chessnuts, acorns, pomegranates, apples, tomatoes, sweet potatoes and a great variety of vegetables; and shouting and talking of the crowd was most amusing. There were a number of toys for sale & Roddie got a present of a man holding a plough drawn by two oxen from Mr. King our fellow passenger in the Karnak, and I bought two little marble dogs for Johnny & Braby. Tuesday Evening: I waited to get your letter of the 9th which reached us safely today having been one day longer than would on the way that you might hear of its safe arrival and that I might _____ anything which required an answer. Charlotte had a good night and felt much refreshed this morning; we had a drive as the day was fine and sunny and in the evening had a visit from Rev. Mr. Saurin who is coming to read to Dearest Cha’ tomorrow. Cha’ thanks you very much for your kind letter; she is not equal to answer it today; as soon as she can she will: How it delights to hear such good accounts of you all & that the dear children seem so well and so happy; you take great notice and trouble with them. Brab especially in taking him to Church and teaching him Hymns & lessons; we trust you will not fatigue yourself with him; he is young and if his learning should go behind a little now he has time enough to make up for it hereafter. Kiss them both for papa and mama and tell them that they often think of their two dear little boys and will return to them when summer comes, when they hope to find them good and obedient children and kind to each other. Thank Eliza for her note. On hearing what has occurred with the Dillons I think it better not to write to R. Dillon or Burns; but before your leaving home to tell R. Dillon & the rest of the labourers if they continue in our service to obey A. Burns in your absence and that you have my express directions on the subject and that A. Burns has authority from you & me to dismiss any of them who do not act as he desires them in your absence. I cannot praise too highly your judgement in quietly telling the Dillons that they may leave if they like and I do think they have been perhaps too long with me; but I would much rather they left me of their own accord than that I should have to discharge them. I feel greatly annoyed that they are troubling you with their quarrels. I was glad to get the little account you sent me; I had no thought that you would be able to sell any butter; I think John Dillon’s account for work done to the cow houses high but I will examine it when I return; as he is in advance with me you need not pay him any accounts till then. I feel so glad to find that you are managing everything as if it was your own and acting towards the servants and labourers as if they were yours; this is what I like you to do; but I fear from the small amount put down for House Expenses that you are not taking sufficient care and especially when I find you say this is the first time you are going to town since we left. We will feel it a great kindness if you will use everything as if it were your own. Kiss the dear children for us & Roddie. Give your kind remembrances to all enquiring friends; thank Margaret for her kind note & I will answer it as as soon as I can. Give her our fond love & with fond love from us & Roddie Believe me Dearest Mother, Your very affect. son John Casement |
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