Acock’s Gree, Dec 28^th 1887

Dear Fred

I find your very kind contribution by PO has not yet been acknowledged.  It came quite safely opportunely and was very much appreciated.  We had a cheque from grandpa and an useful amount from WH Cutler so that we were in a money most well provided for and with cash we could and did provide a liberal amount of creature comforts for discussion amongst the remaining section of your family who yet linger in the old country.  The Xmas day here Sunday was fairly clear and a shade frosty.  Our vicar preached a suitable sermon we had an advanced scheme in the choir seats and the service was altogether a successful one including some 50 communicants.  At the next stage, the dinner at home the old customs were duly observed and honored, roast beef + plum pudding in a blaze of blue, so fiery that the sprig of holly had to be retire immediately the many expressions of regard for friends afar were heard in the orthodox  manner and such features as I have respond to closed in upon our Xmas

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Feast of 1887.  Where will the next be eaten? A great display of fruits emblematic of distant lands then duly appeared as dessert the kingly prize of course had the centre and attracted considerable attention + has much admired: the bananas, grapes, figs, peach, plums, mangos, apples +c clustered around the kingly pins and bid not unsuccessfully for a share of patronage.  The vintage too claimed some considerable patronage and got it.  The old port as well as the old brandy equally acknowledged this not so equally received in acquaintance with the palette.  The fragrant Lowena as well as the growth of ther cherries known as the weed start up their wrath circling in graceful recognition of our best festivities and so we work out the hour until twilight lots us we most now turn an after [illegible] to production of china or assam of course on the occasion all more obliging and amiable and thus we welcomed I may say the emblems

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Of countries over the pacific.  You will gather from these not so that with our minds anxiously recurring to past history in our family and with hearts wish more now removed from us (for how long?) we tried to make merry and it is likely we succeeded at least the younger members say so.  Our party was on own and with aunt co that we were unadulterated! May I say so?  Louise came over on Monday, day before yesterday, to put 3 or 4 hours with us and is very well.  I am pleased to tell you your Mama says she has a little dislike to the Xmas fare as ever in fact she believes it agrees with her.  I share that belief – I am happy to say we are pretty well and beyond a slight divergence in feeling the stomachs seem almost as well as usual.  We had a card and a note from Bessie a day or two since.  She writes cheerfully + says tall things of Brooklyn.

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And this is cheering to us.  Her address is 449 Dean St Brooklyn, until she moves again. Mama says you will she is in some excuse her writing to you more frequently,  she is hoping to write soon, and she dwells upon the prospect of you coming over some time next year.  I am canvassing as usual for an Hindustani Journal, printed in Hindoo, and my time is spent mostly in Lancashire + Yorkshire.  It is stiff business now trade is so queer still we are getting along it may be worse.  The old folks at Henley write that they are well.  Yours has been the only letter lately – we should like to hear from the others – my time is so taken up + I would write to each, please convey the sentiments in this to each and ask them to accept the cordial good wishes from home and we write in the wish of continued good health and all prosperity from

Your affectionate father. 

Mother’s love and many thanks

[end]

CHEAT SHEETS

WH Cutler is Mary Cutler Paulin’s brother.

The old folks in Henley is reference to the Frederick’s parents George and Sarah Paulin.

Unsure which Aunt stayed with them for Christmas – his sister likely spent her Christmas with her family in Derby, and Mary’s surviving sister likely was with her family in Streatham. It could be a great-aunt which could be from either side of the family. It is unclear.

Louise was not married at this time, but is clearly not living at home.