[c. 1853?]

My ever dear Alexander

If I remember right my last note to you was short. This I account for, by your not having written to us for so very long a time. It was some little consolation to me to find you mentioned in Walter's last letters, as in a previous one he omitted to even say you were well, which rather annoyed me, as I always like to hear at least of your health and your whereabouts. If no news, I am apt to conjecture something serious has happened. Why my dear Alexander do you neglect to write to us? - under all circumstances we are but too glad to hear from you.

I'm somewhat concerned about your present occupation - horrid! Why, my dear, you cannot have strength for such a life, and partners are most disagreeable persons ----[torn]--- a country like the one ---[torn]--- I [unreadable]. But after all, being far from friends, want of respect, ability, and above all a heathen land for a home, and no civilization, answer me? Is money worth such sacrifices? Oh that you could realize a few hundreds and return. I hope that you will manage so as not to be left behind should dear Walter ever return. Whilst you are single the[re] would be no difficulty, but get married, and unless you had almost an independence at your command, I should never behold my dear Alexander whom I parted with on the stairs, again do you remember that parting? I can picture it as vividly as ever in my mind's eye. I am always regretting that you have never had our likenesses, they have all been taken but Fanny's -----[torn]------ and there is no reason ----[torn]----not have----[torn]--- far as I am concerned. The sending them off rests with your father so do not blame me - I could say more but it is the part of



all bout your love affairs - a bad marriage would be ruin to you, so go careful. I am writing this by candle light so you must excuse the bad writing, but I am expecting one of your uncle Walter's daughters tomorrow so I was afraid if I did not scribble off a letter tonight, there would be no opportunity tomorrow. I do not hear that any of our relations who have left England have done much, you and Walter have succeeded as well as any, I believe--as to pecuniary means. Your Aunt Everitt is again in London - she is coming to see us soon. Your father met 4 of his sisters about a week since. On that occasion your Aunt Charlotte's ---[torn]--- celebrated ------[torn]---- I think it very probable they----[torn]---. You can scarcely imagine what old people we are getting, our generation is passing rapidly away. If you are [a]way a few more years you will find