Letter from D. Teodolinda Ramalho to her Husband, D. Francisco de Assis Ramalho, 28 June 1919

Letter from D. Teodolinda Ramalho to her husband, D. Francisco de Assis Ramalho, 28 June 1919

Lamego, 28th June 1919

My dear husband,

I write these words to you in the hope that you are well from the ailments that afflict one’s body, since I can’t believe that your mind is in good health. I’ve been receiving your letters in the belief that your many and varied activities in Oporto prevent you from saying more than a few vague words. Both court and war consume your time, I know, and I try not to worry you too much when our little ones are doing well, and the farms are thriving under the care of the capable people that Our Lady, Mother of Christ, has given us. However, imagine my incredulity when I greeted my dearest friend D. Maria da Assunção Pacheco for a long-desired visit and, between two cups of tea, she told me of your opposition to the new strain that King Manuel II and his main advisors believe is the gear that will turn the war in our favour! You’ve always been averse to big changes; I remember your hesitation when my father stipulated that, to authorise our espousals, I should be nominated as administrator of our estate in your absence or, God save us, in the event of your death. Nevertheless, you ended up agreeing, out of reconsideration or due to greed, which I know you for. Therefore, I must tell you that, in relation to this issue, you have also reconsidered: If over the last few years my position as administrator hasn’t required too much responsibility on my part, the time has now arrived. Do you recall that vineyard, to the north-west of our properties, unused and already overrun by wildness? I ordered the land to be cleared and the disused vines, most of which were already dry, to be uprooted in order to plant this new strain. I ensured the use of mature species, ready to bear fruit this year or the next, if well looked after. I hear your voice pointing out the risks, the costs, the fantasies, but I remind you, husband, there is no progress without any of these elements. In the same spirit, I would like to inform you that I made a donation on behalf of the family to help build the Royal Institute of Applied Sciences.

As far as I’m concerned, we won’t be the ones to fail the future. Don’t tire yourself with what’s already done. Don’t worry about your authority: at no time have I given any indication that these endeavours were carried out without your knowledge.

I say my farewells with news from our little ones, who send you their respects and ask for your blessing: Manuelito and Pedrinho have got into the habit of playing ‘republicans’ between lessons, which is already a war, because neither of them wants to play the part of the republican faction. Ever since she mastered her letters, Mariana has been reading everything she can find and has fallen in love with Camilo Castelo Branco. As you can imagine, I’m pleased that our daughter is an educated woman, interested in literature; however, by reading these novels, she has acquired the habit of sitting at the window, sighing endlessly. I don’t understand what she’s hoping to achieve, since all one can see from the manor are our lands and the landscapes of Douro, no great love to snatch one away. My Mother assures me that these are youthful outbursts, but I’ve been wondering if the time has come for us to introduce her to society: after all, she’s almost sixteen, the recommended age for a debutant.

May God bless you.

Your wife,

 D. Teodolinda Ramalho