innovate-issue-005

Personally I doubt that it will be s o soon, or so easy, but if the American news sheets are to bebelieved, then I do not doubt that it will happen when this war finally comes to a conclusion.5th August 1844Mother and Father's wedding anniversary. I have no doubt that he is taking her to one of thefashionable London restaurants though sometimes fashion changes so much, that I doubt I wouldrecognise many names, excepting only the oldest, stable favourites. Lord Halifax told me in Decemberhe had been to a new up-and-coming establishment, run by two Sicilians no less, but somehow I do notsee Father taking Mother to that one!Spain has invaded Morocco, and there is some war in South America between Brazil and Bolivia,although the details of that one is mired in complexities so dense that I doubt anyone outside Rio deJaneiro understands what that war is truly about!25th September 1844Father's Birthday - another year on, and I read with some amusement his suggestion that he comes outto visit me here, not least he says to investigate the validity of Mother's plantation certificate withwhich, he says, she is much taken. I would be most proud to play host, and most amused, or perhapsintrigued, to see his reaction once he sets foot in this so-called European kingdom.A Venetian merchantman serving the Italian colonies in Central America (none of them Venetian ofcourse!) reports that the war between Mexico and the United States of America still goes on. I thoughtit would. People think that a victory will mean the enemy gives in, but so often a victory isbut a long slow step on the road to eventual peace. Sometimes it is a chimera, a false dawn, and thisfact so often gives the loser hope that nobody will make a losing peace until they really have to.25th December 1844A Roman trader put in this morning with news that the Americans sued for peace! I think perhaps hehas some facts backwards, but there can be no doubting that the war between the United States ofAmerica and Mexico is over, and yet Nevada remains in Mexican hands! Personally, I think it meansthat Washington over-stretched itself, that it faced financial ruin if it continued, and that when Mexicorequested peace talks they felt obliged to accept. One wonders how much this will hurt Americanpride, or if they will simply brush it off and pretend that it never did happen!Perhaps Father has been researching the climate - perhaps he truly does intend to come and visit meout here? His present this year to me is far more suitable, and most welcome with it - sun hats, fans ofJapanese origin, and certain tinctures he assures me are the newest and best, though I will test them onthe servants first, I think! Mother sent me something amazing, a photograph I am told that it is called,not just a likeness, or even a lithograph, but somehow by light onto chemically-readied paper, this is anexact moment in time! It shows her sitting, with Father standing, his hand upon her shoulder, andthough the colours are strange, I have no doubt that I am looking back in time to the moment that thisoccurred. It is all very strange - and very exciting!