Herbert Wallace collecting in Brazil
Full transcription
Barra de [sic] Rio Negro 30th. August [1851?]
Dear Fanny and Mother
Alfred having told you all about not receiving letters sooner, and having started to day for his long journey up the Rio Negro, I sit down to write you a few lines on my prospects. Alfred has left me in the City of the Rio Negro with the sum of 10£, all that he could spare, and I have given him a receipt to pay him when able. I am a thousand miles from Para, and my present plan is as follows; to hire a hunter immediately, and go for a couple of months into the country to make a collection of Birds and Insects which will be sufficient to pay my voyage to England, and I hope I have a few pounds in my pocket besides. If I have enough when I arrive in Para to buy a few Pipes and small articles to sell in England I will; but it is no use you sending a small sum, for that purpose, as the Brazilian money is now low.- When I arrive in England, I have my plans which I can better tell than write. I do not like the Californian theme for many reasons, much obliged to you for mentioning it the same. I should like to have seen John's first letter from San Francisco, I cannot draw many ideas from his second. No doubt he is sure to get on there. I wish I was a little more unpoetical; but as I am what I am, I must try and do the best for myself I can - I will not (though I could) tell you of anything wonderful belonging to this country, I will not make you smile over wit, or sensationalize own Poetry "Trifles light as air" be gone!! - I have business before me - and must look sharp! Delusions of my youth for a while away! Let me see (for a while) but the Ambrosial shop far away upon the mountain top and set my mind upon one object. So for the present farewell! give my love and thanks to Thomas for his amusing letter and the same to all friends. Till we meet I must now remain
Your affectionate Son and Brother
[signed] Herbert Edward Wallace
P.S.
You may expect me home at Christmas.
Dear Fanny and Mother
Alfred having told you all about not receiving letters sooner, and having started to day for his long journey up the Rio Negro, I sit down to write you a few lines on my prospects. Alfred has left me in the City of the Rio Negro with the sum of 10£, all that he could spare, and I have given him a receipt to pay him when able. I am a thousand miles from Para, and my present plan is as follows; to hire a hunter immediately, and go for a couple of months into the country to make a collection of Birds and Insects which will be sufficient to pay my voyage to England, and I hope I have a few pounds in my pocket besides. If I have enough when I arrive in Para to buy a few Pipes and small articles to sell in England I will; but it is no use you sending a small sum, for that purpose, as the Brazilian money is now low.- When I arrive in England, I have my plans which I can better tell than write. I do not like the Californian theme for many reasons, much obliged to you for mentioning it the same. I should like to have seen John's first letter from San Francisco, I cannot draw many ideas from his second. No doubt he is sure to get on there. I wish I was a little more unpoetical; but as I am what I am, I must try and do the best for myself I can - I will not (though I could) tell you of anything wonderful belonging to this country, I will not make you smile over wit, or sensationalize own Poetry "Trifles light as air" be gone!! - I have business before me - and must look sharp! Delusions of my youth for a while away! Let me see (for a while) but the Ambrosial shop far away upon the mountain top and set my mind upon one object. So for the present farewell! give my love and thanks to Thomas for his amusing letter and the same to all friends. Till we meet I must now remain
Your affectionate Son and Brother
[signed] Herbert Edward Wallace
P.S.
You may expect me home at Christmas.
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