Monte Video.             

"Juniata"        

Nov 26, 86.

 

Dear Alice,

            Your two letters of Aug 25 to C de V and to Rio (Sept 30) I received today. Glad to hear from you, even if said letters are stale. I am glad you explained everything to Walker, & hope nothing of the sort will occur again. The Armstrongs seemed nice people, so trust everything will go on all right there. don't get carried away with Lu A, a la Blanche H or Kate W— I never did put such unbounded faith in the latter, as you. Whatever you do, be careful how you criticise any one to Lu or any new acquaintance. I know you don't do it, as a rule, but be on your guard more than ever. I am not in love with the idea of Fanny Wilde's coming down at this late day. I think she talks too much, flighty, & loves to exaggerate everything so. Somehow I dont believe she will wear well, not as the Armstrongs. The latter seem to be more substantial people. However I hope her visit, F.W. wont involve you in any other squabble. 

 

I told Baker in Rio that Mrs B— had written you & you had written her. To day he made a great spread with his letters telling how many he had rec^d, spoke to me across table that his wife had written you & she had had a letter from you, I said yes I mentioned that in Rio. I asked after his family, as I have several times before, but not once has he had the courtesy to ask any questions back. He is a dreadful bore. The D^r, Lawrence & Rodgers of the W.R. mess, all improve on acquaintance, but the others don't wear well. L— is peculiar looking, &c., but he is well read & talks well. Burwell is the most contemptible snob I ever met. He & Wood, who is a blackguard, are the most disagreeable pair ever on ship together. Usher seems to have lost his good qualities behind him. I think they are all so disapptd in not going on that fancy cruise they hardly can act anything but ugly. They are an ugly lot. what they will be in 2 years I don't know. Herbert carrys himself very well. he & Lawrence desire to be remembered to you & Maude. /

 

What do you do when not visiting or when being visited? Are you practicing & studying & reading any? You don't say. You must work, as well as play. I don't imagine Susie Hayward will enjoy her visit in Detroit much, to that Aunt. I hope you will find Adams & Bracket of Newton pleasant acquaintances & that the winter will pass pleasantly with or without them. don't neglect your old for the new. that is, those who are worth cultivating. I will finish this at intervals. Shall go ashore tomorrow & Sunday. The opening "Bull Fight" of the season takes place next Sunday week, Dec 5. I rather think I shall go once, for curiosity. it would have taken place this coming Sunday but the bulls & performers were all quarantined at Buenos Aires.

 

Dec 2^nd            Your letter of Oct 19—written on receipt of mail from Cape de Verde came to day, glad to hear letters all reached you safe. I never met M^r Childs, hope you continue to like him & that all is pleasant in and around Brighton. The bull fight did not come off last Sunday, but may next. I dont care much of this place. Rio had such lovely scenery in every direction, here the outskirts are/ forlorn looking. Tis a healthier city & more business, but the winds are something fearful when they blow. Asked a gentleman the other day when they would "let up", he said he had been here 17 years & he had never known them to "let up".

 

Moritz has taken two views of Rio very good ones, & is going to have some copies taken, will taken send some first chance. They charge too much postage from here. The Paymaster has the transcript sent him, so I see the Boston News.

 

Keep up your correspondence with Mrs Baker if you choose, but be careful never to refer to anything I write of matters here. You can write as tho everything was lovely & the goose altitude is warm & don't commit yourself to any San Francisco plans too far ahead.

 

Dec 9^th Things have been sort of mixed the past week what with the winds blowing & with so many of our men being on shore in the lock up, about 35 in one night. I did not go to the bull fight, weather looked bad, & I was not feeling well. Lawrence went with several others, said it was not worth going to see, a farce. I am waiting to get the figures depth of water to put down on the chart to send Geo, cant get them for a day or two, will send his letter soon as I can get these figures.

           

Capt has been on the rampage, ditto Burwell & others the past week. Baker carried himself better than I expected thro' the same, shows himself a little more independent than I expected. he did me a little kindly act which I appreciated & shall remember. With all his talk he may be all right. left to himself I have no doubt he would be, but they all pull together like thieves in things when there is a row with staff officers.

 

            I had a long letter from Ellen the other day, tell her I will write on our way to Valparaiso. Maude wished to be remembered to the folks, E also. Tell M— that Lawrence said it was not necessary for you & M— to ask to be remembered for he could assure you both that you would always be remembered by him. He & Herbert send best wishes to you both.

 

            I have been ashore very little, there is so little of interest either in the city or surroundings. I am going ashore this afternoon to meet Chf Engr Baker of the Lancaster at the English club, that is the only place to go to ashore, / can sit around there, read all the English & US papers, a good library &c attached all free to the Navy folks, for one month.

 

            I think I shall mail this on my way. There is a game of English cricket to be played this afternoon on their cricket ground, Baker & I may go out there for a stroll.

 

            Remember me to Mrs & Frank Gooch & all others in & out of the house whom I know. I hope Geo & Anna are still in the house & will remain for the winter. Love to them, Grandma, & all of you. Hope you are still having a pleasant time.

 

Mama & Franks letters came to hand will write them next Saty.

 

            Much love from Papa

 

P.S. Keep up your correspondence with Mrs Baker if agreeable.

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