Hotel Belvedere
Bordighera
Italy
9 April 1889
My dearest Chris
I should have written to you some time ago but until I received Archie’s letter yesterday did not know if you were going to the Cape in the Sobraon so was not sure where one would find you.
We are all so thankful to hear the good news of your recovery dear Chris. We were terribly anxious about you and did so long for letters to know how you were getting on. I wanted very much to be near you to look after you. Now for the future you must take very good care of yourself and I sincerely trust both you and Alex may keep well and strong.
I daresay you are surprised at the heading of my letter but I really have the good fortune to be in beautiful Italy. I was staying at Anerley with your Mama a fortnight ago when on the Wednesday I received a telegram from Miss Dunbar Masson asking me if I would go with her to the Riviera for a month starting on the Friday. In spite of the short notice I did not think for an instant of refusing such an invitation.
We stayed the first night at Brussels, the next at Coblenz and then went on to Weisbaden where Baron and Baroness Gilsa with their two daughters have been spending the winter, and Maggie the eldest was to come with us. We stayed there two days so had time to see Weisbaden then went on to Lucerne but only stayed one night – the ground being covered with snow. The scenery is most exquisite from there to the St Gotthard Pass. The deep snow added to its beauty. We took twenty minutes going through the tunnel and on the Italian side there was quite a change. Soon the snow disappeared and the ground became carpeted with flowers.
Our next day was at Milan for two nights then on to Genoa of which we saw very little on account of pouring rain. We then stayed at San Remo from Saturday to Monday. It is a lovely place and all are English flowers in full bloom and the palms, orange, lemon and olive trees are of course all new to me.
We came on here this morning and are going to make a stay of ten days, then go on to St Raphael and home by Paris. Hitherto I have enjoyed everything immensely and expect to continue to do so.
I had letters from home yesterday and am glad to say they were all well, Your Aunt Bessie has gone this voyage with your Uncle Walter – they left on Saturday. You will be sorry to hear that Mrs John Bisset, who I daresay you remember, died ten days ago after only a short illness.
We have had a dreary winter this year. I am so glad to escape the end of it in this sunny land where one is surrounded by everything beautiful.
I enjoyed my stay at Anerley very much Mary and all the little ones have grown so much. I can hardly believe my little Mary is nearly sixteen. We wrote to Alex a short time ago – how glad he must be to have you back again with him.
It was a disappointment for you poor old boy – instead of spending a pleasant time in Melbourne to be stopped half way by your illness. However we must all be very thankful you were in a place where you could get good care and attention and that now you are, I hope, quite strong and well again.
I am going to send my letter home as I know your Aunt Nell wants to enclose one with it. Give my best love to Alex and take the same for yourself, and mind you both take good care of your health and write soon and let us know how you are.
Believe me, your loving Aunt
Augusta L Tatham