Letter by John Cavafy to C. P. Cavafy

GR-OF CA CA-SF02-S01-SS02-F20-SF001-0023 (398)

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[Alexandria] 24 April 1883
>Dearest Constantine,            I have none of your valued letters to acknowl-     edge this week. Herein I send you a translation in Greek     of the passage you enclosed in your last. Allow me to     again require, wherefor these translations? My curiosi-     ty is aroused. ― Yesterday we received Alexander’s letter     to Aristides, and acting up to his suggestions, have obtained     and forwarded to you a duplicate of the Credit’s Cheque     for £ 10. I have registered the letter and trust it will reach     you safely. ― Alexander’s statement that Paul is taken
    ill, with boils on his neck, has much alarmed us, and     I am very anxious to have your further news ― Misfortunes     are never single. I say this with reference to Aristides     whose business is very poor indeed and disables him from     remitting you anything at present. I can easily ima-     gine in what monetary difficulties poor mother finds     herself, ― and the inability to do anything towards the     alleviation of her troubles is, I assure you, exasperating.
    I have had a talk with Moss ― He has again told me     that he is anxious to see me become an Englishman,     so that I may be of real service to him (sic): but that     my going to England will have to be postponed owing to     Miani’s approaching absence. ― I availed myself of the     opportunity to request him to look out for situations here     and he promises to do his best: tho’ he holds out a very
    meagre prospect. As regards my eventually going to     Liverpool, don’t you think the whole thing much resembles     the fable of the Shepherd, who always cried “Wolf” and no     wolf turned up? ―     There is no news of any sort. It is pleasant however     to notice that ― now the indemnities are being gradually     adjudicated, ― the reconstruction of buildings is being     proceeded with and a good many of the ruins are cleared out.     It is said that an English Company has bought up the land     round the square and the right-hand side of Cherif Pasha     St. with a view of building commodious dwelling-
    houses in a uniform style.     The next drawing of the Credit Mobilier lottery is     ― I believe ― for the 1st May proximo and I shall not fail     to send you the Pays Financier ―     With best love to mother, Alexander and Paul and trusting     to hear soon that the latter is better           I am, dear Constantine,           Your affectionate brother                John.

P.S.     “Illa fuit mentis prima ruina meae”, which     being translated, meaneth: ―     I began this letter with a bad nib, and have conseq-   uently scribbled atrociously right thro’.     What would Ovid think of such an ignoble paraphrase of his polished verse? ―

DIGITAL OBJECT DESCRIPTION

IDENTITY AREA

REFERENCE CODE:

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GR-OF CA CA-SF02-S01-SS02-F20-SF001-0023 (398)

TITLE:

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Letter by John Cavafy to C. P. Cavafy

DATE(S):

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24/4/1883

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Item

EXTENT AND MEDIUM:

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44 x 27.5 cm

FORMER REFERENCE CODE:

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F51_Φ1-33

CONTEXT AREA

NAME OF CREATOR(S):

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Cavafy, John

CONTENT AND STRUCTURE AREA

SCOPE AND CONTENT:

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Handwritten letter by John Cavafy to C. P. Cavafy, on the first and third pages of a double sheet letterhead of R. J. Moss & Co., Alexandria. He asks for more information on the health of their brother, Paul, and refers to family and financial matters.

CONDITIONS OF ACCESS AND USE AREA

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CC BY-SA 4.0 Cavafy Archive Onassis Foundation

LANGUAGE AND SCRIPT NOTES:

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English

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS AND TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS:

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Writing in ink. Watermark: R. J. Moss & Co Alexandria.

NOTES AREA

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The transcription and editing of the letters of John Constantine Cavafy addressed to C. P. Cavafy was first carried out by Katerina Ghika; said transcriptions were subsequently uploaded to the official website of the Cavafy Archive.