Galatz
27 Aug 1876
My dear Eugénie,
I was extraordinarily sorry to hear today by letter from Polly & […] that Aunt’s life is quite given up & in fact from what they say, she is probably not alive now. Somehow or other we have had but scanty news for some time & as I had heard nothing to the contrary I hoped she had recovered from the illness you mentioned in your last letter. I wrote to her a few days ago & you probably got that letter enclosing the children’s photographs for her & for you. No doubt you will write & let us know how she is, tho’ I fear it will be only to say she is gone. If there is no hope of relief from pain for her, it is much better so. Should she be alive & conscious when you get this give her my love. & say how sorry I am. I would not come home this year when I should have seen her again. You will have had a very weary time of it with so much nursing. I hope you have not done too much to knock yourself up. If so, you must get a holiday to rest yourself.
I am very glad at least that Aunt’s illness should have been in our house, because as she will have had every comfort. Be sure & write as soon as you can that I may know what is happening. I hope Father will return benefited by his change. He does not sound to take proper holidays now, just when he wants them most. If I can manage it, I should like to bring all the family with me next year, but I don’t know if we shall be able to. The children are so far very well, but it is bad not to change the air of this country as often as possible.
Be sure & write as soon as possible. I am so very sorry we are so far off & can only know of things when they have long ago happened.
I trust that otherwise everyone is well & with much love from us both.
Believe me
Your affte Brother
