JDH describes his passage on board a steamer ship. He complains about the drink especially the brandy & will try the wine as he does not think it will effect his ears. He sends his love to family members, Reginald Hawthorn Hooker, Grace Ellen Hooker & Mrs Symonds. Sends his apologies for not writing to his mother from Liverpool but he was shopping with the Stracheys until the last minute. West winds are making the passage slow.
Transcript
Please tell mother that I fully intended writing to her before I left Liverpool but I was shopping & keeping the Stracheys to shop till the last moment.
Cork harbour
Friday nig[ht] [c.1877]
Dearest Hyacinth *1
We embarked at 11.30 yesterday. The steamer is large & comfortable. There are only some 35 cabin passengers[,] chiefly women & children, & I have a state cabin all to myself which is most comfortable. I found some excellent books on board & I am keeping up my Journal for you. The weather has been fine but cloudy[,] the sea great & the barometer steady which is a great comfort. The food is good but I can't say as much for
drinks. Coffee abominable[,] Tea middling[?], & the Brandy I cannot drink, so I am puzzled about my liquor -- there is a good Vin ordinaire *2 on board which I shall try & as my Ears are in status quo under my diet, & climate, I don't suppose it will make the smallest matter.
I must post this in haste. Good bye my darling. Love to Grace [Ellen Hooker] & Reg [Reginald Hawthorn Hooker] & kindest regards to Mrs Symonds & the Miss Cornuel[']s[?]. This is a slow boat & if these W[est] Winds continue I despair of the 10 days passage!
Ever your affectionate husband & lover. Kiss Grace for me | J D Hooker [signature]
Please tell mother that I fully intended writing to her before I left Liverpool but I was shopping & keeping the Stracheys to shop till the last moment.
1. Lady Hyacinth Hooker, née Symonds then Jardine (1842 --1921), Hooker's second wife.
2. Inexpensive table wine.
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