| Transcript | Durban July 26th. /76
My Dear Pater
I shall be so glad when I receive a letter again from you and My Dear Mutter, it seems such a long time since I had one, not since I was in Newcastle on my way down here, when you said you were going on the Continent. I hope so much the change has been benificial to you and my Mutter. I should have written before but I have been waiting to have the portraits taken to send to you and my dear Mutter. Dear little George Herbert was recovering from his illness when I went for a short ride with Mr. Sanderson to look at a place he thought might suit me. When I returned I was obliged to send for the Doctor I and was not able to move about for some time, this morning the artist sent me the ones enclosed. Baby's is a very good portrait I think with the exception of the hair being much too dark the man has just struck a bell & he opened his mouth in astonishment - I think he looks a little frightened. Marian's is not so good she was kept so long in that attitude that she was wearied. She is much brighter and prettier looking. Mine is a fright I think.
Dear Pater I do not like to do it but I fear I must draw the remainder of the money you were so good to say I could if I realy wanted it. I can rent no house that is at all healthy and those that would do are 5 and 6 a month. I and Mr. Sanderson think my only plan is is to buy a small piece of land and have a little house built out at Sydenham it is about four miles from here. I did not think I should have been obliged to stay here so long it is so expensive. Mr. Sanderson does all he can to assist me if I could only get stronger I could do much more to help us. I think if ever you did a good action it was when you and my Mutter did not leave us to the mercy of strangers. Dear Pater if anything should happen to me will you and my Mutter take our little ones to bring up? I don't think I shall leave them, only when I am not well I am so uncomfortable about them if they were to be left. I know it is a great thing to ask, but I only ask it supposing they should be left.
I hope they won't, they are very very dear to me. I did think they were so dear untill the other week Mrs. Ashton Mrs. Sanderson's sister took little Marian home with her to stay for a week when I was not well. Marian much enjoyed the change and did not ask to come home because she said poor Mama was not well.
Dear little George Herbert grows very nicely. I think rubbing the cod liver oil on his chest every night is doing him much good, he runs about now quite alone. I have to keep a Kafir boy to carry him out - I should so like to read my Mutter's last work. Won't you please send it to me, I hope I have not done wrong to ask for it, but I do so much wish for it.
With much love
Your affectionate daughter
Eliza Lewes
Please excuse errors I have neuralgia in my head and face. |