Fonda de la Alameda, Malaga
Tuesday 3rd. February 1857
My dearest Mother,
Since last writing to you on Thursday week dearest Cha’ has been rather better altho’ she has not yet regained the strength she lost on the previous one. The weather in the early part was still cold but the last two days have been milder and I do trust she will be permitted to regain a little of her former health and strength when the weather improves with the return of spring. Dear Roddie continues very well and happy. We are much pleased to receive your kind letter of the 23rd January and to hear that you were all well; I do not think that Brab requires anything but a little dosing, at least I hope so. We both wish you to punish him and Johnnie when you think it necessary. “He that spareth the rod spoileth the child” is the saying of the wisest man. There are no children but require to be punished sometimes no matter how good they generally are. We are very sorry to hear that Lizzie has been so seriously ill and hope she will go on steadily improving without any relapse. Give her our kindest love and best wishes for her speedy recovery. How thankful we are that the storm did not do any serious injury. It must have been verysevere and how long it lasted. We are glad Margaret and her baby has visited you although I fear they will find it very lonely and not sufficient variety. Not so pleasant as she would have done in a finer season of the year when she could drive about the country a little more. Now everything must be very bleak. I think the price of the heifer was very fair as I valued her at £5 10/- at November it leaves a profit of £1 10/- for feeding notwithstanding the disappointment. Gordon or broken horn I expected would calve late about July I think but she may not be in calf and let Burns do with her as he thinks best. I am glad you have been able to settle Mr. Douglas account and to get rid for a short time of the workmen. The newspaper arrived safely with William ______ wedding announcement in it and Mrs. Bourchin’s letter in yours today. Will you kindly post the enclosed one for her. Would you say to Mrs. McNeill that I will be happy to let Mr. McNeill the ______ of the greyhounds on Ballyvennaught Mountain whenever he wishes in my absence if he _____ for the ___ment.In case of Lizzie continuing poor and that you would like to go to see her you could leave the children and Nurse at Mrs. Bourchin’s where they were most kindly invited or at home, whichever you thought best. I have been invited to dine today at Mr. Saurrus and as I had refused once before vand Cha’ thinks she will not miss ___ much I intend going. The dinner is at six and she returns at eight. Cha’ desires me to thank Margaret her note and kind notice of the children but ads I have prohibited her writing till she gets a little stronger I will write her a note I hope with the next letter to you. Roddie thanks Brab for his little note and will write to him soon. There is a matter I have to trouble you with about getting me nominated as Poor Law Guardian for the electoral division of Glenmakeernan. Send a message to R. McMichael and say I wish him to manage this business for me and that this is the way: Let him apply to the Clerk at the poor house for a form of nomination and directions how to have it filled up and then to get it filled up accordingly and signed by one of my tenants in Ballyvennaught and lodged with the Clerk of the poor house in proper time: But it is my express wish that if any other candidate is put forward who will contest it with me that my nomination paper bewithdrawn: We think dearest Mother that you are getting on famous at Churchfield excepting this thing, only which distresses us greatly: we see clearly by what you tell us that you do not take wine regularly which we wish you would; at least one glass at dinner; and you do not get some good beef and mutton when there is any to be had. You often say you will get enough to do you your time and I say the same and we will be much gratified if you take of everything at Churchfield as if in your own house. Mr. Brereton after service on Sunday and administered the sacraments to Cha’ and me. Catherine is well. We write with Roddie in fond love to you and the two dear boys and Margaret if with you and in kind regards to all enquiring friends.
Believe me dearest Mother,
Your very affectionate son,
John Casement
p.s. I think if your letter was posted on Saturday in time it would arrive as soon here as it does at present, as it is delayed a day in London on Sunday and unless when there is something particular I would like Tuesday’s paper best.
Tuesday 3rd. February 1857
My dearest Mother,
Since last writing to you on Thursday week dearest Cha’ has been rather better altho’ she has not yet regained the strength she lost on the previous one. The weather in the early part was still cold but the last two days have been milder and I do trust she will be permitted to regain a little of her former health and strength when the weather improves with the return of spring. Dear Roddie continues very well and happy. We are much pleased to receive your kind letter of the 23rd January and to hear that you were all well; I do not think that Brab requires anything but a little dosing, at least I hope so. We both wish you to punish him and Johnnie when you think it necessary. “He that spareth the rod spoileth the child” is the saying of the wisest man. There are no children but require to be punished sometimes no matter how good they generally are. We are very sorry to hear that Lizzie has been so seriously ill and hope she will go on steadily improving without any relapse. Give her our kindest love and best wishes for her speedy recovery. How thankful we are that the storm did not do any serious injury. It must have been verysevere and how long it lasted. We are glad Margaret and her baby has visited you although I fear they will find it very lonely and not sufficient variety. Not so pleasant as she would have done in a finer season of the year when she could drive about the country a little more. Now everything must be very bleak. I think the price of the heifer was very fair as I valued her at £5 10/- at November it leaves a profit of £1 10/- for feeding notwithstanding the disappointment. Gordon or broken horn I expected would calve late about July I think but she may not be in calf and let Burns do with her as he thinks best. I am glad you have been able to settle Mr. Douglas account and to get rid for a short time of the workmen. The newspaper arrived safely with William ______ wedding announcement in it and Mrs. Bourchin’s letter in yours today. Will you kindly post the enclosed one for her. Would you say to Mrs. McNeill that I will be happy to let Mr. McNeill the ______ of the greyhounds on Ballyvennaught Mountain whenever he wishes in my absence if he _____ for the ___ment.In case of Lizzie continuing poor and that you would like to go to see her you could leave the children and Nurse at Mrs. Bourchin’s where they were most kindly invited or at home, whichever you thought best. I have been invited to dine today at Mr. Saurrus and as I had refused once before vand Cha’ thinks she will not miss ___ much I intend going. The dinner is at six and she returns at eight. Cha’ desires me to thank Margaret her note and kind notice of the children but ads I have prohibited her writing till she gets a little stronger I will write her a note I hope with the next letter to you. Roddie thanks Brab for his little note and will write to him soon. There is a matter I have to trouble you with about getting me nominated as Poor Law Guardian for the electoral division of Glenmakeernan. Send a message to R. McMichael and say I wish him to manage this business for me and that this is the way: Let him apply to the Clerk at the poor house for a form of nomination and directions how to have it filled up and then to get it filled up accordingly and signed by one of my tenants in Ballyvennaught and lodged with the Clerk of the poor house in proper time: But it is my express wish that if any other candidate is put forward who will contest it with me that my nomination paper bewithdrawn: We think dearest Mother that you are getting on famous at Churchfield excepting this thing, only which distresses us greatly: we see clearly by what you tell us that you do not take wine regularly which we wish you would; at least one glass at dinner; and you do not get some good beef and mutton when there is any to be had. You often say you will get enough to do you your time and I say the same and we will be much gratified if you take of everything at Churchfield as if in your own house. Mr. Brereton after service on Sunday and administered the sacraments to Cha’ and me. Catherine is well. We write with Roddie in fond love to you and the two dear boys and Margaret if with you and in kind regards to all enquiring friends.
Believe me dearest Mother,
Your very affectionate son,
John Casement
p.s. I think if your letter was posted on Saturday in time it would arrive as soon here as it does at present, as it is delayed a day in London on Sunday and unless when there is something particular I would like Tuesday’s paper best.