Reference
X919/11
Title
John H Brooks to his daughter Katie [Catherine M F] Brooks.
Date free text
29th December 1862
Production date
From: 1862 To: 1862
Scope and Content
Lucknow, 29th December 1862
My very dearest Katie,
It would indeed gladden my heart could I embrace you my darling child on the morning of your 10th birthday but this great pleasure is not permitted me so I must content myself with writing you a little birthday note, which will, I hope, reach Flitwick very near the 8th February and if on that day so much the better! May it prove a very happy day to you darling Katie and may the good God who has so mercifully watched over your childhood continue to bless and shield you though many succeeding years.
I daresay your dear Mama will find something to bring your absent Papa in remembrance, and you may be quite sure that he will especially remember you in his prayers on your own day.
I was so pleased to read of the happy visit you had at Stoke and the part you took in dear Cora’s wedding, it must have been quite and event for my two little daughters! I am looking forward to the great pleasure of meeting dear Cora on her arrival at Allahbad in about 5 weeks when she is to pay cousin Cateau Balsen a visit and there I shall hear a great deal about you all. You must practice patience a little longer for Papa’s return home but I hope before the summer comes round again to be amongst you once more and then I shall see whether my Katie has kept her promise not to forget me! The weather is quite cold here now and I am glad to have a cosy fire to sit by of an evening but we have no nice coal fires as you have .
How you would have laughed at what my little puss did yesterday. Mrs Jenkins was going to a ball in the [illegible] and has a fine blue net dress hanging on a peg which the puss clawed down, and rolled herself up in and Mrs J found her smart dress on the floor with the cat inside it and no end of holes through it which bad puss had made!
I should like you to tell me now how some of my pet trees are growing especially the Welingtonia and the Desdars by the lower lodge and your evergreen oak. Have you got any little pea fowl now or any pets besides the bunnies?
Give darling Min a kiss for her last nice letter to me I tell her I did not mind its being torn. I hope Miss Easter is quite well and that you continue as good friends as ever with her. From me many happy returns of the New Year and of her birthday and now darling Kate goodbye and God bless you accept always the fond love of your affectionate Papa.
Level of description
item