FLORIAN - The Most Traveled Man on Earth

[From Azelie Felicite Florian, fourth daughter, 1797 to after 1860, to her father, as part of
the continuing letter]
As Mama has gone to give her lessons, and since there is little space to write in, I don’t
want to miss the opportunity to put in a little word about me. I am completely jealous of
Constanzina, the third daughter of Madame Pio, who, although she is only eight years
old, plays the harp very well. But she is very friendly and I love her a lot, as well as her
little sister Virginia.
Embrace my uncle Emmanuel, and always love your child who loves you also with all
her heart.
Azelie
June 27 [1809], Westmead [apparently in Wales]
[Also dated:] July ???
[Letter from Elisabeth Florian, third daughter, 1795--after 1830, to her father Jean-
Baptiste, in New Orleans. This may be a separate letter, since it is numbered “No. 13,”
but there is a note saying “letter written between the lines of her mother’s.”]
My dear Papa,
In the last letter I received from Mama she told me to write you. That was quite a while
ago, but it was not in my power to do it before now. She has doubtless told you that I
was at Lord Kensington’s in Wales. <strong>The</strong> whole family is very pleasant, and if it were not
for the distance which separates me from my dear Mama, I would be very happy.
Mrs. Green, the English governess, is so good. Oh, I would certainly like you to know
her! She is very unfortunate; two years ago she was quite wealthy, but her husband died
suddenly, and consequently she did not have time to arrange her affairs [properly], and
she was obliged to come here as a governess. She has three children, of whom the oldest
is only six years old. I would lose a very good friend in her if she went away while I am
here.
Lady Kensington also shows me a thousand kindnesses, and takes much interest in seeing
that I do not neglect my studies. <strong>The</strong> last thing in the world she wants if for my Mama to
lament on my return, that I have fallen behind in my music. She has eight children, of
whom we have to teach four.
We went to spend a few days with the mother of Lord Kensington at Haverford West in
Pembrokeshire. 81 It is a very pretty town and very lively then, because the militia was
there. We also went to see Milford Haven, the port where one leaves for Ireland. In
81 Since the 2 nd Baron Kensington represented Haverfordwest in the Commons, this is clearly his family
that is being discussed.
104