I have no doubt that before this letter reaches you, you will have heard that your mother and sister Rachel have landed safely in this country. I was extremely glad to see them, but it was really too bad for you not to let us know that they were coming. I was completely taken by surprise when I received a letter from Cousin Rachel saying that they had landed in Liverpool (a port close by Chester) & was at a loss what to do. My brother Daniel (who lives in Northwich, not far off & myself went over to see them, on the Monday after their arrival. We found them comfortable lodged in a Welsh passenger agents' house, & it gave us great pleasure to meet our unknown relatives from a far off land. They were greatly fatigued with their long journey, & they did not seem to like Liverpool at all, it being such a vast, noisy, & unclean city. We showed them round the place, however, and the next morning they proceeded to visit my brother Daniel & his family at Northwich. On Tuesday evening they came on to Chester, and I found them a comfortable place at a Temperance Hotel. They liked Chester very much it being a much pleasanter city than Liverpool. I showed them the various objects of interest in the place, with which they were greatly pleased. On Wednesday we went to visit Eaton Hall, the residence of the Duke of Westminster, one of the wealthiest men in the world. It is situated in the country about five miles from Chester, & we had a splendid trip up the river Dee in a steamer on our way to it. Aunt & cousin enjoyed this visit above anything since their landing, and I am sure they will have a deal to tell you about it when they return home. Rachel & * became fast friends, and I hope your are all as good as she. I wish they had brought you with them, but perhaps your turn will come some day. I received the splendid apple you sent me, thank you very much for your kind gift. You seem to grow fine fruit out there. On Thursday morning Aunt & Cousin left Chester for Llanrwst in North Wales to visit the relatives of your brother-in-law Mr. Evans. I wanted them to stay in Chester till the end of the week but they declined. I have not yet heard from them but I expect to soon, as your sister promised to write. From Llanrwst they intend going down to South Wales, our native place. I hope to see them again before they return. I intend going down home on my holiday before long and I am almost sure to meet them then. They will also likely come through Chester on their way back to Liverpool to set sail.

The country seemed somewhat strange to them at first, but their chief difficulty was in handling English money. I endeavoured to teach them the value of our various coins, and I expect they will soon get over that difficulty. I wrote to your sister Maggie at Peru a day or two ago at the request of your mother, telling her of their safe arrival. I saw one of her photographs, & it looked very nice indeed. I have asked her to send me one. I should very much like to have on of yours as well, if you have one. I think your sister Rachel resembles our family very much. I was astonished at her being able to speak Welsh so fluently, & so exactly like we do in South Wales. By her English talk anybody could know she is an American. She has the American accent to perfection. During their short stay at Chester, they enjoyed themselves immensely, and I can only hope that wherever they may go they may meet with as good a welcome as I tried to give them. On consequence of my business I was unable to be with them the whole of the time but I did my best. I saw them off from the station (or depôt as you call it) but was unable to go with them any distance. They want me to go back with them, but I am afraid that's impossible however much I should like it. Farming is hardly in my line, and I am afraid I should do more harm than good. I should greatly like to see you all & your home and country, & perhaps I may some day. I hope you are going on all right in their absence, & that you will not miss them so very much. Aunt says you have given her leave to stop here for 12 months, but I hardly think they will stop so long as that.

You see I am running the risk of wearing you with a long letter as usual, and I must draw to a close now. I hope you will send a letter back soon to let me know how you are going on.