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60 East India Road
Poplar
19 April 1888
My dearest Chris
I was so glad to get your letter a short time ago and to hear how well you are getting on. It is indeed good news that we may hope to see you, perhaps before the end of the year. You may be quite sure of a very very hearty welcome from us all.
I should have answered your letter by last mail but I was waiting to receive the photos you told me you had sent, that I might also thank you for them. They did not come until last Saturday having been two and one half months on their way. I am so much obliged to you for mine, I like both so much it is hard to choose between them, they are splendid photos I think and Queensland has not robbed you of any of your good looks I am glad to see.
I hope you received my letter. I wrote to you from Baden Baden. I was staying there four and one half months with Miss Dunbar Masson and Baroness Von Gilda and returned home at the end of October having enjoyed myself very much indeed. It was quite a change from our English life.
We have had a very long cold winter this year and spring is only just beginning. My commencement of the year was a very bad one, on 1 January I got a chill which ended in a severe cold on my chest and quite laid me up. It was some weeks before I got strong again but now I am glad to say I am quite well.
Your letter was forwarded to me from 89 – our number is now 60 nearly opposite your uncle’s house. They are all well there and send their best love to you. Chris has not sent home a photo of his wife so we do not know what she is like. I wish she had waited a few years longer.
We were all very glad to hear that Alex, as well as yourself, is doing well. It is nice for you to live together. When next you write tell me all about your house. I like to know of your surroundings. Fancy a town growing up in nine months. It seems almost incredible. I thought it was only Americans who managed things so quickly.
Mary has been staying with us for ten days. It was a great pleasure to us to have her and she seemed very happy here. She is quite a big girl now not very much shorter than myself but still the same dear affectionate child as ever.
May, you know, is in Germany. I had a nice long letter from her a short time ago. She seems very happy there. Edie had a few days holiday and came one day to see us. She likes the people she is with very much, and is looking very well.
I must write to Alex so shall not add much more or shall have nothing to tell him.
Many thanks for the newspapers you sent me.
Have you got a church yet in Croydon?
Your aunt Jeannie writes with me in best love to you and every good wish for your health and continued success, and hoping we shall see you before many months have past.
Believe me, your loving Aunt
Augusta L. Tatham