Letter to Helen E. Mahan from Alfred T. Mahan, 1893 Aug 6

Southampton August 6. 1893

My darling Child:

Today is your birthday and you are out of your teens. It seems hard to realize, by simply thinking of the intervening time, that twenty years have passed since I heard your first feeble wails; but when I compare myself as I am with what I then was the dents of twenty pass on my physical powers are percepti-

ble enough. Well, you have been was a great happiness and very little trouble. You have been spared serious illness, mercifully both to yourself and us and you have given us no anxiety, all which we gratefully and lovingly remember.

Tell Lyle that though it is his regular turn, he must be content for a while to stand out of his letter. I wrote to Mamma yesterday so have very little news. I greatly miss Mamma's

advice in the various matters to which I have to attend, I have got so in the habit of depending upon her that I seem lost by myself - though I daresay I shall do fairly well. My clothes have well been measured for, and are to be tried on upon Tuesday. I shall be rather shabby for my London visit for I fear they will not be ready for use then. I have written this morning to Aunt Ogden and told her that I should be sure to look them up when I get to town. In Southampton I have not been ashore, except when I went to the train on Wednesday, because we lie so very far off and our boats are so poor and far. I greatly regret it for I am sure I suffer for want of proper exercise on shore - perhaps when I come back I may make up my mind to try it, but I look lovingly to the day when I shall be able to get to the beach in five minutes. We are like to be here till August Sept 3^d, when we are to go Havre. Good bye my dear child - enjoy your summer and dont over work yourself

Your loving father A. T. Mahan

[envelope] [Aug. 6 - 1893]

Miss Helen Evans Mahan Quogue Long Island N. Y. United States of America