19th Jan (1879) 2
Tis most difficult to find something to write, I see nothing strange or unusual.
Life here is not different from it in other parts of the world. Today there was some
divertion in trying to mend some stocking; in spite of the temperature I became very
warm and had to give it up for the time, but will try it again. Im afraid that kind
of economy will not prosper, and will have to wait until my little daughter grows up.
Don't you think I will be happy? In one week from today the cruise will be half up,
and we will then be going down hill as it were. Not a day goes by but it is not counted
against those that remain : they pass slowly enough I assure you. "Charlie" will
be five years old, Dear little soul! How I long to see her a big and loving girl. She
became very fond of me and would not leave my arms could it have been avoided. I
suppose upon my return the acquaintence will have to be renewed. I will tell you
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something that happened last summer. "Charlie" got to be very fond of sewing ;
one day I stood up before Addie to have a button replaced, but our little girl
insisted upon doing it herself, and made such a time about it that the request had to
be allowed. I stood it for a half hour and then had to give up for the heat. She ran
the needle in every direction and the stitches to correspond, which did not escape the
skin, everything being sewed together. I will never forget how our poor girl laughed
at my martyrdom. Many of those events are recurring to my memory, and bring happy
recollections of a happy past. Tomorrow will be Sunday. I shall go ashore and have a
long walk in the country, which is a pleasure one cannot have in China. The country
about Shanghai is most uninviting, being a drab level plain filled with graves and huts
of the commonest people. Still, as a city, Shanghai is far superior in every way to
Yokohama.
Good night, with love ~ Henry
Jan 20th
I went ashore today as I had promised myself, but the walk was prevented by a snow
storm coming up. It was very light, but its intensity could not be depended upon, so
the walk was given up so far as the country was concerned. Still I managed to get
pretty well over the town. I heard today that the Adams were to leave the Grand Hotel
and go to the International. I am unable to give their reason for the change, though it
appears that the price had something to do with it. Mrs. Boughman goes home in the
"Tokie" to join her husband at Vallejo. I believe his time is up. Mrs. Barber is still
in Hong Kong and will not leave this part of the world until it is decided that the
"alert" will not return here. Her stay in China will be short : she left home
only on the fifteenth of September. I was weighed today and brought down 168 pounds,
which is only ten less than my weight when I left Mare Island. This of course was in
winter clothes.
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I am feeling very well just now. In fact I have not felt badly; only
thin during the hot weather. I have a most glorious big overcoat. It must weigh 15
pounds - both large and comfortable. I found my big lamp most useful and
comfortable. As my room is dark at this season it is constantly lighted. The Masons
give a grand ball ; many of our officers will go, as well as some of the Navy
ladies - though can't say which ones. The news of General Grant coming out here has
given us some excitement. Many of the officers think, but I do not, that we will take
this ship to go to San Francisco in early Fall. It makes no difference what they say,
I will make no such calculations; the news would be too good. The Admiral has decided
that he neither likes the "Monongahela" nor her Chaplain, and will not come on board to
live if it can be avoided. He talks to Fitzhough very sharply sometimes. I have not a
superabundance of love for him myself.
Good Night - Henry
Jan. 22nd 3
While it is on my mind, I would like to know if father ever obtained my bank-book from
the Trust Company? Some time last summer I sent, in one of Addie's letters, an order
for it to be delivered to him. If it is not too much trouble, I would ask him again to
call and get it, and when you write again, let me know how much I have on deposit
there. I know it is not much. When it amounts to $500.00 I will let father buy a bond
for our little girl. I am trying very hard to save something for that dear little soul.
Don't you think I am right about it?
I hope it will not be very long before I get a picture of that dear little face. When
you have the opportunity, I should like to know her weight. She fell off a little
during the very hot weather. In five more days I hope to get a letter. We don't hear a
word about leaving here, and unless orders come from Washington sending us away, it is
not probable the ship will move for the next three months.
I can't say I like stopping in one place so long. I feel that a continuation of new
scenes would be better, and help to carry off this cruise more quickly. Were it not for
reasons already expressed in former letters, I would much prefer Shanghai. This place
is exceedingly quiet, while Shanghai is very exciting. I was on shore yesterday afternoon,
and saw Mrs. Tripler. She said her mother (Mrs. Hubbard) had considerable trouble with
the baggage. I bought a very pretty picture frame and had one of Addie's pictures put in it.
It does not quite suit me, and will require some alterations and the addition of a mat.
When my little daughter's picture comes, I'll get it a pretty frame. Three inches
of snow fell night before last, which necessitated me to buy a pair of Arctics (shoes).
But the snow all melted the next day, though it again looks like it tonight. I wonder
what Charlie would say over a snow storm. How I would like to have her see everything
strange and pretty.
Good night with love to all ~ Henry
Jan 25th
The San Francisco and Shanghai steamers are both in. The former brings long letters and papers
from you at home, and the latter the remains of our dear Addie, which are on their way to you at
home. The steamer on which they came anchored about 8 o'clock. I immediately went on board and
saw that they had been properly prepared to make their voyage safely. Our darling first lies in
a wooden coffin which is covered with one of lead, which again is covered by the outside box. The
usual plate is secured to the inner coffin. Tomorrow our darling will be transferred to the
"City of Tokio" when I will go on board to see if the boxes are still safe, and take my last
look at the lonely home of my devoted and beloved wife. The events of today brings a return of
grief, but lessens many deep anxieties. My little child is well and happy, and our darling is
really from the land that took her noble and useful life, and on the way to those who will
revere her grave. I must again ask you at home to
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try to decide upon a design for a suitable
monument for our darling's grave. I have tried to give it my own thought, but at each effort
found myself so ignorant and consequently perplexed that I feel compelled to leave it to those
who love her quite as dearly. Knowing how tenderly you love even her dust, I have no fear that
you will erect a tomb insufficient to our dear Addie's noble character. I trust that you will
believe, that whatever you do will satisfy me, knowing as I do my own inability to do more.
It is my wish to do all I can for our darling's tomb, that lies within our position and means,
without ostentation, or vain show of any kind. I simply wish to do that which would please our
darling, her child and ourselves. I have no idea what the cost of a proper monument will be ;
sufficient to say, I will be able to send you some more money in a few weeks now. I trust I have
said enough to convince you that you are free to act as if I were with you, and that I beg your
help in the matter