Transcription
Madrid November 15th 1842
My dear Kate,
Your letter of Oct. 1. reached me a few days since and gave me a very sunshiny account of affairs of pleasant little Sunnyside. I thus enjoy by reflection the bright days which pass at that brightest of little homes. My present home is enlivened by the return of the young travellers from their tour in Andalusia which has been a very satisfactory one, excepting that they have not been robbed at which they appear rather disappointed; it an adventure with robbers being looked upon as essential to the interest and romance of a tour in Spain. They have a world of travelling anecdotes to relate about Granada, and Malaga and Gibraltar and Seville, which make our repasts quite instructive as well as convivial. They are all in fine health and spirts; and, from their good tempers, good sense, good breeding and perfect harmony make a very pleasant household.
You seem to pity the poor little Queen, so shut up with her sister like two princesses in a fairy tale, in a great, grand, dreary palace, and “wonder whether she would not like to change her Situation for a nice little Cottage on the Hudson.” Perhaps she would Kate if she knew anything of the gaieties of Cottage life: if she had ever been with us at a pic nic; or driven out in the Shandry Dan with the two Roans and James in his slip shod hat for a coach man; or yotted the Dream: or sang in the Tarry town choir; or shopped at Tommy Deans: but poor thing, she would not know how to set about enjoying herself. She would never think of appearing at church without a whole train of the Miss manns and the Miss Forkels and the Miss Dearmans as maids of honor nor drive through Sleepy Hollow except in a coach and six with a cloud of dust and a troop of horsemen in glittering armor. So I think Kate we must be content with pitying her and leaving her in ignorance of the comparative the comparative desolateness of her situation. The last time I saw the little queen was about ten days since at the opera, with her sister, Espartero, the Regent sat on her right hand. She is fond of theatricals and appeared to take great interest in the performance. She is growing fast and will soon be quite womanly in her appearance. I cannot say that she is strictly handsome; for which I am sorry on account of your aunt: but you may console the latter by assuring her that the queens sister is decidedly pretty enough to answer her notions of a princess. I shall give you aunt another diplomatic chapter on Royalty and its concerns as soon as I can find leisure from my diplomatic communications to government; but she must not let it get to Mr Websters ears how communicative I am to her on these subjects: He may not feel disposed to admit her into our secrets.
As your aunt expresses some solicitude about my winter quarters tell her I have put up a very nice French Stove or fire place in the our family gathering place the pink saloon; which was is now a delightful winter room; having the Sun shining into it all day; and the glazed veranda or gallery in front. The travelers among other articles of provant which they bought at Gibraltar have brought home an ample supply of green and black tea; so that we shall establish our tea table for the winter evenings; a cosey domestic meal unknown in this country and which we have hitherto neglected. In Short, we mean to make ourselves very comfortable. I do not know whether I have mentioned in any of my letters to home, that we have an Italian Opera house immediately in our neighborhood – absolutely within two minutes walk of our house. The company in general is but tolerable but has recently been improved by an excellent tenor who is likewise a good tenor actor and a very good looking man. The prima donna also is has a good voice and method: so that I would manage to enjoy the performances greatly. Lucia di Lammermoor is the opera now in the course of representation and, whenever it is performed it is sure to draw me from my comfortable lounging chair at home to an almost equally comfortable seat in the theatre. It is a great resource to me. The opera just mentioned is full of delicious music. I had become familiar with it by hearing it often at the Mrs Jones’s; perhaps it has won upon me more from bringing up recollections of home and association of thought with “the widow and the fatherless” which Mary your Sister Mary will understand.
I am affraid, my dear Kate, from one passage of of some observa[tions] [MS torn] in one passage of your letter, that you are all practising too much economy in your expenses. I should be vexed and mortified if this were the case. Before leaving home I made some general regulations in this respect, founded upon a calculation of what I could freely afford. Experience of my expenses abroad proves that calculation to be correct, so I beg that none of you will economize unnecessarily. As for you, my dear Girl, I again repeat, circumstances may call for various expenditures on your part. I enjoin it upon you therefore, as you love me, do not stint yourself in anything befitting your situation as a lady. Pierre has my instructions to answer all your drafts and I shall consider it a proof of your love for me and your confidence in my affection if you make them freely
And now God bless you, my excellent noble hearted little girl. I can never enough express how deeply I feel the affection I have experienced and daily still experience from you all, which It constitutes the great happiness of my life. Give my love to all the family.
Affectionately your uncle
Washington Irving”
Addressed to:
“Miss Catharine Ann Irving
Care of Irving Esq.
Tarry town
Westchester
N.Y.”
Circular postmark in red ink:
“NEW-YORK
DEC
26”
Red wax seal