Galatz
30 Aug 1878
My dear Eugénie,
I have been home now since the 17th & since my return have been pretty hard at work, but I will try not to leave you longer without a letter now though it may be only a short one.
After leaving you I went to Sandwich. I saw the Woods above Northbourne including Aunt Sarah who seemed much better than when I had seen her last with Florence in ’72. She seems quite rational now, but she is quite bedridden. The Woods had no idea I was in England & were very much surprised to see me. Aunt Isabel lamented very much over my bad looks & thought me looking sickly. I walked over to Ash & saw Grandmother who seemed much the same as usual except the stick she now uses to get about with. I dined at Ash with Mr Sladden & met Miss Hayward Noakes from Sandwich where I stayed at the Colemans. I went to St. Leonards from Sunday till Saturday. Mr. & Mrs. Gardiner were alone for a word. I went from there to Bournemouth to see Selena who was staying there with the aunt Evelyn used to live with when a boy. I stayed there from Saturday to Thursday & enjoyed it very much. I went about a good deal with Selena. One day to the isle of Wight which was a very pleasant excursion. Then I got back to London. I stayed with Evelyn till the 12th when I started for home. I got a telegram from Florence just before leaving to say the railway was damage by floods, so I had to get back by a round about way which was about two days longer.
I just saw Lionel’s wife in London. They passed through the day I left, and we were together for about one hour. They had both been very bad during the evening & consequently I did not see her to advantage, but she seems a nice little woman & they all like her very much.
I find Galatz very much damaged by the [?] during my absence. It has undermined a great many houses & in walking a bout the streets one comes constantly over cracked and falling walls. The [?] under a new fine building is cracked from top to bottom. If an earthquake came now it would probably cause great damage with so many houses hardly standing. We had rain in through our roofs but are otherwise alright.
I was so glad to be able to see you in your new house. I like the place very much indeed. I saw Father again two days before I left over lunch & together at Polly’s. He was very well, I think, after his journey. I suppose Tom will be leaving some time in Sept. I heard you came up to George’s wedding. I was so sorry to miss seeing Charlotte. I hope I shall be more fortunate next time I come to England. All things considered I managed to see a good many relatives and friends. I found Florence and the children very well. We are expecting by sea a case I packed in London containing all sorts of things, mostly presents for everybody, from for Florence and the children.
I hope this will find you quite well. I find my change has done me very much good. I feel very different from what I did when I left Galatz.
Our best love to you both
Yr very affectionate brother
Fred
