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Falmouth April 30th [likely written in 1872, when grandson William Swire
PLUES was 19, and he was born in 1853]
My dear Philip
I send you a letter which you will see by the date was written some weeks
ago but the gentleman who was to have taken it changed his mind at the
eleventh hour and did not go after it, so I cannot send the photos as it
is so sending by mail. They must therefore wait until
Augustus can get to
you but when that will be I am sure I do not know, for he has met with a
serious accident. In drawing the charge from his revolver he managed to
wound himself in the hand as one barrel went off and the bullet crushed
the forefinger of his right hand. He however kept his berth (?) as long as
he could but at last was compelled to give it up and come down here for
medical treatment. At first the Dr. thought he would have to amputate the
finger but thank God he has got off with only a stiff joint, and some
weeks great suffering and all his money gone to pay the Dr. He is again
trying to get some employment to earn the means to go to you. God grant my
prayers may be heard on his behalf.
Since last writing to you dear
Lucy
has been very ill, she is better now but still confined to bed from severe
cold which ended in a smart attack of neuralgia. I hope by this time dear
Anna is safely over her trouble, and that herself and babe are doing well.
How is Kissy and her family getting on. Do write me all about them in your
next. I think she might write me herself or perhaps poor dear child like
myself she cannot spare the postage very often.
By the last mail I got two
photos of two of Marianne's children in Australia. Her eldest son is a lad
of 19. He is in an office. He is very tall and something like his Mother
but a plain likeness. The girl (her second daughter) is 15, she is like
her Father and also a tall girl. She has passed her examination for a
teacher in a school, and hopes to get an appointment shortly. The eldest
girl has already been placed in a similar situation so your dear
Mamie is
getting on nicely with her children. She is so glad to learn that we have
heard from you and Kissy and asks for your address that she may write you
herself.
I am anxiously looking out for another letter from you. Don't be
long before you write or if you are busy am I asking too for my daughter
to write one when her husband is well (?) or
Amy might write one. I should be
delighted to hear from any of you. All here unite in fond love to you and
all your dear ones and believe me dear Philip, your loving mother
F. L. Swire
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