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220/ from [[red underline]] my dear old friend [[/red underline]] and former [[red underline]] fellow student [[/red underline]] at Ghent University, [[red underline]] Dr. Camiel De Bruyne now Rector [[strikethrough]] mo [[/strikethrough]] Emeritus of the University of Ghent. - [[/red underline]] [[vertical note in left margin in red]] [[red underline]] Dr. Camiel De Bruyne [[/vertical note in left margin]] [[red underline]] In his letter he sent me a postal card dated August 10 - 1889, the very day of my marriage and just before sailing for America, where I was to find my adopted country and so my happiness. [[/red underline]] [[vertical note in left margin in red]] Letter written on my wedding day 1889 [[/vertical note in left margin]] The card was written in Flemish. Translated it reads like this: [[strikethrough]] Dearest Camiel [[/strikethrough]] addressed to Dr. C. DeBruyne, Egmont street, Ghent. Dearest Camiel, Your present (wedding present received that day) was for us the most agreeable surprise and we send you our heartiest thanks before we go aboard of our boat. We both feel very well and shake hands from afar. My little wife is a little pearl and I wish to you but one thing, that you may later on find one of the same kind. - Farewell, Leo. The reading of this card [[red underline]] filled me with emotion, [[/red underline]] when I think of the happy days Celine and our children and grandchildren [[end page]] [[start page]] 221/ gave us so abundantly, even if we had many hardships to encounter at first. [[strikethrough]] it la [[/strikethrough]] If our beginnings had been easier we would probably not have appreciated our happiness so much as we do now. I [[red underline]] wonder whether our grandchildren, [[/red underline]] with all the advantages we have furnished them [[red underline]] will be as well prepared to weather the storms of life. [[/red underline]] [[underline]] Dec 25. [[/underline]] Xmas. [[vertical note in left margin in red]] Xmas [[/vertical note in left margin]] Bright, sunny but cold weather and enough snow on the fields and ice on the Hudson to make it look like Xmas. Nina and her children began to arrive at 11, then George B and Cornelia and their children. All the grandchildren have developed very much. [[red underline]] Brooksie is already almost as tall as his father. Celine Roll altho younger than [[/red underline]] Dickie is [[red underline]] about as tall as Brooksie. George Roll [[/red underline]] was invited as usually. A very happy group. The [[strikethrough]] bo [[/strikethrough]] 3 older boys had great fun with an electric railway system provided with side switches, stations signals, lights etc. which was laid out by them and kept them captivated until afternoon when it was time to clear out. [[red underline]] Freddie [[/red underline]] the youngest of all has [[red underline]] become steadier. [[/red underline]] The girls happy with their presents. Notwithstanding my wisher that nobody should ever buy me a present, Dickie had purchased for me a fine copy of T.E. Lawrence's - Seven Pillars of Wisdom. His latest publication before he was killed by a motor car. [[red underline]] Altho Dickie is only 16 years old she is very developed intellectually [[/red underline]] and has read [[strikethrough]] everythi [[/strikethrough]] every book that falls in her hands. Nevertheless she is cheerful
Transcription Notes:
Found ref and picture of Dr. Camille De Bruyne 1861-1937 on the Univ of Ghent webpage
