Letter by John Cavafy to C. P. Cavafy

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                            [Alexandria] 31 July 1883
    My dear Constantine,        This is the hottest day we have had yet     this summer: I won’t exaggerate like Aristides and     say that the flies drop down dead, but they would     be perfectly justified, I think, in doing so. ― (Therm. 85o
    in the shade). ― Never was Alexandria so quiet     as it is at present. The Exchange is literally deser-     ted during the whole day with the exception of half     an hour in the evening when the few remaining merchants     assemble there to do ― nothing ―     The firm of R.J. Moss and Co. is in much the same way     of “dolce far niente”: be it not for some fortunate     coal enterprises which keep me employed and will     shew a handsome profit. ― Miani is in London     enjoying himself. Moss is away in Scotland for     a holiday with his family. Kneen is here, being
    slowly eaten up with fear of the Cholera ― He dares     not go, else he would have been far away by this     time. He comes to the Office for one hour only, ―     fiddles round doing nothing, ― says “all right” to     anything I may have to tell him ― and goes home, leaving     everything in my hands. He is a fine sort of a     manager, isn’t he! You know my sentiments with     regard to this gentleman. I don’t complain for after     all this conduct of his is doing me good, and I
am looked up to as the practical head.     The Cholera is still going on in Upper Egypt but     does not appear to be able to get a footing in Ale-
    xandria. I am inclined to think it will all be     over in 2 or 3 weeks. ― At Casamicciola, near     Naples, a fearful disaster has taken place ― Reu-     ter’s telegrams announce no less than 3,000 deaths     thro’ an earthquake. Several Alexandrians I am     told have been killed, say the Sepsis, Cortozzis,     Psiachis etc., who had gone there to spend the summer.     Fancy running away from the Cholera to meet with such a death! What is the world coming to?     I trust your next letters will bring us good
    news of poor Paul ― I am very sorry and very     anxious about him. ’Tis now more than a year     since I left you. How the time flies! and what     would I not give to see mother again, Alexander’s     merry face, έναν Mπόλι τί τα τί τα, and Constantinus     Fotiadé of future universal fame!     Next week we shall make you the usual re-     mittance and in the meanwhile await mother’s
    decision as to borrowing money on the Claim ―     Many many kisses to mother, Alexander, and Paul     and thousands for you, my dearest Constantine                from yr. affectionate                     John. P.S. Though ’tis depriving me of a great pleasure ― still don’t write to me if your eyes are still weak.

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IDENTITY AREA

REFERENCE CODE:

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GR-OF CA CA-SF02-S01-SS02-F20-SF001-0028 (403)

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Letter by John Cavafy to C. P. Cavafy

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31/7/1883

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Item

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44 x 27.5 cm

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F52_Φ1-31

CONTEXT AREA

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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 the R. J. Moss & Co., Alexandria. The sender refers to the warm weather and to the cholera epidemic, which, however, has not yet reached the city. Comments on international and family matters. (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: tears and holes.

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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.