Viewing page 37 of 54

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

Drexel, Harjes & Co.
Paris, Dec 4 (1875)

sent me of Pa; abut I hope that he will accomplish something better. [[edit mark]]
The other two children are doing well. The Baby is beginning to learn her alphabet: she has no Grandma to look after her, as we had, and so I attend to her literary education. She is desirous of learning, but her Doll engrosses most of her time and thoughts. She is a good child, is pretty, and growing nicely; her hair is lightish and has the effect of rays or threads of sunlight playing about her head. She sings to her Doll little scraps of German and French songs, and thinks the Doll understands them: here is one-
"Au clair de la lune,
Non Ami Pierrot,
Prete moi ta plume,
Pour ecrire un mot.

Ma chandelle est morte,
Je n'ai plus de feu, 
Ouvre moi ta porte
Pour y voir un peu." etc etc

I hope that your wife is better. I hear that the weather has been wonderfully fine at home, and I hope that she has been able to enjoy it. We had our Thanksgiving- dinner "according to Gunter" - roast Turkey, and Pumpkin pie, as the law directs, with Cranberry-sauce, and sweet potatoes, the latter very good, but the Cranberry-sauce only so-so - it was in a tin-case, nothing like the old-fashioned home-made which we used to have, clear and shiny - and the Pumpkin-pie was very poor, made by a french pastry-cook. Ah! those blessed times when Ma used to make all sorts of good things - I dare say she may be showing off some of her culinary skill to the angels, at this moment! - such cocoanut puddings, such mince-pies, such custard-puddings, and such wine-sauce!!
I am glad I have nothing of the sort to eat now, however: it would soon finish me! Best love from all of us to your wife and to the family in general, with a Merry Christmas
Yours affectionately
F.W.S.