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	  <div class="unav"> <a href="../../index.html">The Galileo Project</a> &gt; 
        <a href="../../family.html">Family</a> &gt; <a href="../maria.html">Maria 
        Celeste Galilei</a> &gt; <a href="../daughter.html">Galileo's Daughter: 
        Letters and Essays</a> &gt; <a href="../letters/31dec1625.html">31 December 
        1625 </a></div>
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      <br>
      <p class="heading">Letters of Maria Celeste: </p>
      <p class="letterdate">31 December 1625</p>
      <p class="main_text">Most Beloved Lord Father 
      <p class="main_text">I would not know how better to thank you, Sire, for so many kindnesses, 
        if not by telling you that I pray Our Lord may reward you with the fullness 
        of His holy grace, and make these festive days the happiest for you, not 
        only this year but for many years to come, and finally to our Vincenzio 
        to whom I send, for now, two collars and two pairs of new cuffs: the great 
        want of time prohibits me from doing my very best work, and for this reason 
        he will excuse me if the gifts are not entirely to his satisfaction: nor 
        will I fail to make him another pair with the trim, as I promised. Suor 
        Arcangela is faring a bit better, even though she is confined to bed, 
        and just now the confessor is coming to see her, so that I must not tarry 
        a moment: please enjoy these sweetmeats this evening for a sweet treat, 
        and here with all my heart I send my love to you both. </p>
      <p class="main_text">Your most affectionate daughter, <br>
        S. M. Celeste </p>
      
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