Fonda de la Alameda, Malaga Tuesday Afternoon, 31st March 1857
My dearest Mother,
Your most welcome despatch of the 21st inst. reached us most punctually this morning bringing us the pleasant tidings that you and the two dear boys are well. God has indeed been gracious in watching you and keeping you all safe and while he has thought it right to chasten us by dearest Cha’s long suffering and illness he has tempered it with mercy and love by keeping our children & other friends safe and well. Since last writing the weather has been warm although we have had some wind and rain. We think after very careful watching of dearest Cha that she is not deriving benefit from the hot weather but is weakened and relaxed by it; she has suffered more recently by night perspirations than she has done since we came to Malaga. Her cough is not worse but slightly less troublesome but she finds here breathing more difficult; on the whole we think she is not deriving benefit from the warm weather but rather is suffering from it, and we have therefore determined to leave this three weeks earlier than we would otherwise have done. We purpose leaving this for Gibraltar about the 16th of April and waiting there for a steamer to Liverpool; the time we may be kept waiting there is uncertain but I count on about a week and I would like you to write us a little by the mails which leave Southampton on 17* and 20th April directing to me at the post office Gibraltar; these letters should be posted on time on the 15th and 18th. I will leave directions that any letters and papers which arrive here after we leave be forwarded to us there. Cha has enjoyed several nice drives, but is now able to walk very little. What a very severe storm you have had on Sunday; this winter seems inclined to have been unusually severe and stormy and I hope the worst is now past; it is a great mercy there was not greater damage done. The weather appears very backward for the labour, still many farms are more unfavourably situated than Churchfield in a wet season its soil is so dry. In other respects you are getting on well. The backwardness of the season will keep back the demand for potatoes but I hope after a little you will get them disposed of. Many hold back hoping the price will fall as it did last year but I do not think that will be the case this season. If there is straw to spare it is advisable to sell some at 21- per cwt. and purchase grass or other manner with the price, but I think that scarcely any more can be spared. With regards to oats I think it will take the oats of three or 4 stacks for summer buse for the horses and to make a little meal for the house. I will thankfully repay Julius for the clover seed s, flax seeds and hayrack etc. when I return if he does not send you in the Bill before that time. I feel much obliged to him for taking the trouble and to him and George for their kind enquiries for Charlotte. We are sorry for the poor little lamb no. 3; I have not yet been able to rear three lambs on one ewe since I came to Churchfield. I know two is a better number than three as a general rule but I would like to rear three for a time. I am sorry about A. Burns but it will be well to get McGill is a very tolerable thatcher to repair it the earliest opportunity and anything else of the sort that is to be done.
We think it very kind of Doctor O’Connor & Mrs. McNeill to call to enquire for Cha’; give them our kind remembrance and thanks when you see them and to all other inquiring friends. Roddie is quite well; he walks with me now every fine morning from half past seven till near nine when we come in and have breakfast; and he had a dip in the salt water on Saturday, he went in with me without crying. The water is now very warm.
There is nothing very new here. Mr. ???? is still living but sinking; several complain and are suffering from the heat and in this and next week there will be a very large emigration of these ???? ????? from the plan. There is no word of your missing letter yet. I enclose a note for Mrs. B???????? which please forward. There is also a little note for the children. Cha’ desires to thank you for your kind note; she is delighted to find you think the children good as well as in good health. I hope you will arrange to stay a good while with us after our return and that you will not make any arrangement to leave us ‘til I see you. I wish to ask you so much to assist in having nourishing food made for Cha’ and clothes due for the children. I do not wish to keep you altogether a prisoner at Churchfield against your will but ???? to say that you will be able to assist me so much as long as you will like to stay. Cha’ and Rod join me in fond love to you and kisses to the dear boys.
Believe me
Your very affectionate son
John Casement
My dearest Mother,
Your most welcome despatch of the 21st inst. reached us most punctually this morning bringing us the pleasant tidings that you and the two dear boys are well. God has indeed been gracious in watching you and keeping you all safe and while he has thought it right to chasten us by dearest Cha’s long suffering and illness he has tempered it with mercy and love by keeping our children & other friends safe and well. Since last writing the weather has been warm although we have had some wind and rain. We think after very careful watching of dearest Cha that she is not deriving benefit from the hot weather but is weakened and relaxed by it; she has suffered more recently by night perspirations than she has done since we came to Malaga. Her cough is not worse but slightly less troublesome but she finds here breathing more difficult; on the whole we think she is not deriving benefit from the warm weather but rather is suffering from it, and we have therefore determined to leave this three weeks earlier than we would otherwise have done. We purpose leaving this for Gibraltar about the 16th of April and waiting there for a steamer to Liverpool; the time we may be kept waiting there is uncertain but I count on about a week and I would like you to write us a little by the mails which leave Southampton on 17* and 20th April directing to me at the post office Gibraltar; these letters should be posted on time on the 15th and 18th. I will leave directions that any letters and papers which arrive here after we leave be forwarded to us there. Cha has enjoyed several nice drives, but is now able to walk very little. What a very severe storm you have had on Sunday; this winter seems inclined to have been unusually severe and stormy and I hope the worst is now past; it is a great mercy there was not greater damage done. The weather appears very backward for the labour, still many farms are more unfavourably situated than Churchfield in a wet season its soil is so dry. In other respects you are getting on well. The backwardness of the season will keep back the demand for potatoes but I hope after a little you will get them disposed of. Many hold back hoping the price will fall as it did last year but I do not think that will be the case this season. If there is straw to spare it is advisable to sell some at 21- per cwt. and purchase grass or other manner with the price, but I think that scarcely any more can be spared. With regards to oats I think it will take the oats of three or 4 stacks for summer buse for the horses and to make a little meal for the house. I will thankfully repay Julius for the clover seed s, flax seeds and hayrack etc. when I return if he does not send you in the Bill before that time. I feel much obliged to him for taking the trouble and to him and George for their kind enquiries for Charlotte. We are sorry for the poor little lamb no. 3; I have not yet been able to rear three lambs on one ewe since I came to Churchfield. I know two is a better number than three as a general rule but I would like to rear three for a time. I am sorry about A. Burns but it will be well to get McGill is a very tolerable thatcher to repair it the earliest opportunity and anything else of the sort that is to be done.
We think it very kind of Doctor O’Connor & Mrs. McNeill to call to enquire for Cha’; give them our kind remembrance and thanks when you see them and to all other inquiring friends. Roddie is quite well; he walks with me now every fine morning from half past seven till near nine when we come in and have breakfast; and he had a dip in the salt water on Saturday, he went in with me without crying. The water is now very warm.
There is nothing very new here. Mr. ???? is still living but sinking; several complain and are suffering from the heat and in this and next week there will be a very large emigration of these ???? ????? from the plan. There is no word of your missing letter yet. I enclose a note for Mrs. B???????? which please forward. There is also a little note for the children. Cha’ desires to thank you for your kind note; she is delighted to find you think the children good as well as in good health. I hope you will arrange to stay a good while with us after our return and that you will not make any arrangement to leave us ‘til I see you. I wish to ask you so much to assist in having nourishing food made for Cha’ and clothes due for the children. I do not wish to keep you altogether a prisoner at Churchfield against your will but ???? to say that you will be able to assist me so much as long as you will like to stay. Cha’ and Rod join me in fond love to you and kisses to the dear boys.
Believe me
Your very affectionate son
John Casement