Fonda de la Alameda, Malaga
Tuesday 6th January 1857
My dearest Mother,
We have just received your very kind letter written on 1st day after Cxmas day which has given us much pleasure. We are so glad to hear that you and the dear Children are well and that Annie & Tom are with you in good health. They are so cheerful they must have helped you to pass Cxmas time pleasantly after all your cares and loneliness. We were glad that Tom had some sport and I am sure the dogs were delighted with a run on the mountain after having been so long confined. Thank Annie for her kindness & I will write her one as soon as I have time. I am glad that I can tell you that dearest Cha’ appears a little better the last few days and has not suffered so much from her cough: I trust she will continue to improve a little steadily. She is still very weak but sometimes walks for ten minutes on her return from driving. She is able to sit up a little longer and not lie all day on the sofa as I may say she was obliged to do for some times except when at meals and out driving. I am glad to hear you had no difficulties in getting the money for the check. I hope you recollected to send a deposit receipt to Mr. McDonall at the Bank, B’mena also there was no money to the credit of my current account and the Bank charges double the interest on overdrawn accounts that they allow on deposits. We thank you dear Mother for distributing the Cxmas boxes; it is a good old custom and they come to the poor in a very needy time. I find that the Dillons have not fulfilled their threat of leaving us and if you leave Churchfield I think it better to give Burns full authority over all the farm labourers in your absence as I mentioned in my last and to tell R Dillon so and if he objects to follow Burns directions tell him that he must leave. Also if you find he does not do as you desire him you have full authority from me to discharge him or any or all of them. I am glad to find that the ploughing is nearly finished for potatoes & green crop; I am sure that the making of the drain at the foot of Murry’s field will be a tedious and troublesome piece of work but it will not take so much horse work; once the ploughing is finished and there will be perhaps time to prepare the Grey Mare and Tom for sale. I am glad to tell you there has been a change in the postal charges between England and Spain commencing from the 1st of January. Now letters not exceeding ¼ of an ounce will have to pay 8d. and letters exceeding ¼ ounce and not exceeding ½ ounce will have to pay 11d. You may depend on this being correct and make the postmistress examine into the matter carefully before you pay any more. In fact get her to write to Dublin before you pay more. I intend to send Dr. O’Connor a note and one for Mrs. Bourchin which you will kindly forward. The weather last week was on the whole fine but this week has been rather cold and windy. Cha’ was not able to go out yesterday but she ventured today although it was dusty and windy. I hear that the winter is considered to be unusually cold and that it will soon improve. The newspaper arrived safely. I am sure you will soon be called on for Income Tax for my Carey property. What a very slow and dilatory person Douglas is to be so long in finishing the porch. Christmas seems a favorite holy day time here. Cxmas day, New Year’s day and today as old Cxmas Day have been ?????? kept as Holy days beside Im???? and some others. Cha’ and Roddie join me in fond love to you and our dear little ???? Brab & I ???? brothers and sisters if your writing and our kind regards to Mrs Courteney and all enquiring friends.
Believe me dearest Mother,
Your very affect. son,
John Casement.
Tuesday 6th January 1857
My dearest Mother,
We have just received your very kind letter written on 1st day after Cxmas day which has given us much pleasure. We are so glad to hear that you and the dear Children are well and that Annie & Tom are with you in good health. They are so cheerful they must have helped you to pass Cxmas time pleasantly after all your cares and loneliness. We were glad that Tom had some sport and I am sure the dogs were delighted with a run on the mountain after having been so long confined. Thank Annie for her kindness & I will write her one as soon as I have time. I am glad that I can tell you that dearest Cha’ appears a little better the last few days and has not suffered so much from her cough: I trust she will continue to improve a little steadily. She is still very weak but sometimes walks for ten minutes on her return from driving. She is able to sit up a little longer and not lie all day on the sofa as I may say she was obliged to do for some times except when at meals and out driving. I am glad to hear you had no difficulties in getting the money for the check. I hope you recollected to send a deposit receipt to Mr. McDonall at the Bank, B’mena also there was no money to the credit of my current account and the Bank charges double the interest on overdrawn accounts that they allow on deposits. We thank you dear Mother for distributing the Cxmas boxes; it is a good old custom and they come to the poor in a very needy time. I find that the Dillons have not fulfilled their threat of leaving us and if you leave Churchfield I think it better to give Burns full authority over all the farm labourers in your absence as I mentioned in my last and to tell R Dillon so and if he objects to follow Burns directions tell him that he must leave. Also if you find he does not do as you desire him you have full authority from me to discharge him or any or all of them. I am glad to find that the ploughing is nearly finished for potatoes & green crop; I am sure that the making of the drain at the foot of Murry’s field will be a tedious and troublesome piece of work but it will not take so much horse work; once the ploughing is finished and there will be perhaps time to prepare the Grey Mare and Tom for sale. I am glad to tell you there has been a change in the postal charges between England and Spain commencing from the 1st of January. Now letters not exceeding ¼ of an ounce will have to pay 8d. and letters exceeding ¼ ounce and not exceeding ½ ounce will have to pay 11d. You may depend on this being correct and make the postmistress examine into the matter carefully before you pay any more. In fact get her to write to Dublin before you pay more. I intend to send Dr. O’Connor a note and one for Mrs. Bourchin which you will kindly forward. The weather last week was on the whole fine but this week has been rather cold and windy. Cha’ was not able to go out yesterday but she ventured today although it was dusty and windy. I hear that the winter is considered to be unusually cold and that it will soon improve. The newspaper arrived safely. I am sure you will soon be called on for Income Tax for my Carey property. What a very slow and dilatory person Douglas is to be so long in finishing the porch. Christmas seems a favorite holy day time here. Cxmas day, New Year’s day and today as old Cxmas Day have been ?????? kept as Holy days beside Im???? and some others. Cha’ and Roddie join me in fond love to you and our dear little ???? Brab & I ???? brothers and sisters if your writing and our kind regards to Mrs Courteney and all enquiring friends.
Believe me dearest Mother,
Your very affect. son,
John Casement.
Dear Mrs Casement,
John has left me this page that I may send you our warmest thanks for all your time & enclosing notes to me bringing such happy tidings of our dear boys. John often wishes we had a at you all. Rod was busy writing letters to little brothers but as it is not legible we shall write for him some other time. He was at a very pleasant party on New Year’s Eve at the “Victoria Hotel” on the opposite side of the street. It was given by a Miss who is here a second winter for her health with her governess, another friend and her maid. The Archdeacon introduced John to the Ladies who then invited Rod to tea & to see the beautiful Christmas tree. The Archdeacon & his wife kindly called for Rod at 6 and we were glad to have him besides their Catherine brought him home at 9 so pleased with the tree it was so tastefully decorated & lit up with tapers all sorts of pretty things on it every one was pleased Catherine admired it & Rod got a white & a box of toys & a little lustre. A small glass to give Cath. Connie will like to hear this. Rod sends dear Grandma 40 kisses & one to Connie & the sweetest little in Christendom. May God for ever bless them. I suffer much less thro’ his mercy. I have not space to write all I want. Love to the girls & remembrances to friends.
Your affectionate Daughter,
Charlotte Casement.
John has left me this page that I may send you our warmest thanks for all your time & enclosing notes to me bringing such happy tidings of our dear boys. John often wishes we had a at you all. Rod was busy writing letters to little brothers but as it is not legible we shall write for him some other time. He was at a very pleasant party on New Year’s Eve at the “Victoria Hotel” on the opposite side of the street. It was given by a Miss who is here a second winter for her health with her governess, another friend and her maid. The Archdeacon introduced John to the Ladies who then invited Rod to tea & to see the beautiful Christmas tree. The Archdeacon & his wife kindly called for Rod at 6 and we were glad to have him besides their Catherine brought him home at 9 so pleased with the tree it was so tastefully decorated & lit up with tapers all sorts of pretty things on it every one was pleased Catherine admired it & Rod got a white & a box of toys & a little lustre. A small glass to give Cath. Connie will like to hear this. Rod sends dear Grandma 40 kisses & one to Connie & the sweetest little in Christendom. May God for ever bless them. I suffer much less thro’ his mercy. I have not space to write all I want. Love to the girls & remembrances to friends.
Your affectionate Daughter,
Charlotte Casement.