Letter by John Cavafy to C. P. Cavafy

GR-OF CA CA-SF02-S01-SS02-F20-SF001-0032 (407)

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[Alexandria] 26 September 1883
    My dear Constantine,         I have none of yours to acknowledge but trust     that you are well and that your eyesight is improving.     As regards the latter you cannot be too careful     and I strongly recommend your avoiding any exertion        that may tire or strain your eyes.     The Cholera, as you will note, from your local     newspapers is now reduced to one or two deaths daily.     Each mail steamer brings us its quantum of Alex-
    andrians and business generally is reviving.     Amongst the arrivals last week was Miani and     I am somewhat relieved. This gentleman went for     two months and actually staid away four: so     that ― in recognition of my services ― I have     made him pay an account for a new hat, of     which yours truly was sadly in need.        We were all very much grieved to hear of     dear mother’s late illness and sincerely hope for     better news in your coming letters. ’Tis really     very unjust that we three should be leading ―
    comparatively speaking ― so easy a life, when     you in Constantinopoli have as many disagreeables to put     up with, and have to live on the miserable pittance     we send you. The future however may be better     and you should beg of our poor mother to keep
    up her spirits. With the revival of business     Aristides will be able to remit something along     with us: with the end of this year, Peter has     good hopes of being increased, and so have I ―     if the naturalization question goes well and I     am left here. So that, you see, we may be able     to send you more next year than at present, and in
    Spring, when the Indemnities are paid, we may     all meet again in Alexandria. The only diffi-     culties to our putting up a house here is 1o     the high rents now charged and 2o the fear that     the Cholera may again break out next summer, a     probability on which great stress is laid by the     German Medical Commission. Let us hope howe-     ver that this will not be the case: and that building     will by that time assume wider proportions and
    rents be naturally cheaper. For the present     very little has been done in the way of erecting     new houses, but this of course is mainly attributable     to the Epidemic. ― I expect Moss to     arrive here about the third week of next month.     His family, as usual, remains in Liverpool.     With my very best love to all and many many     kisses to dear mother           I remain, dear Constantine,           Your affectionate brother                John.

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IDENTITY AREA

REFERENCE CODE:

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GR-OF CA CA-SF02-S01-SS02-F20-SF001-0032 (407)

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Letter by John Cavafy to C. P. Cavafy

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26/9/1883

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Item

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44 x 27.5 cm

FORMER REFERENCE CODE:

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F52_Φ1-31

CONTEXT AREA

NAME OF CREATOR(S):

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Cavafy, John

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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. Comments on the financial situation of the family and its possible reunification. (Alexandria)

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CC BY-SA 4.0 Cavafy Archive Onassis Foundation

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English

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Writing in ink. Watermark: R. J. Moss & Co., Alexandria. Physical item wear: tear.

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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.