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Johannesberg
Sept: 6:: 1902
My venerable Nan
I have put off writing this week till almost the eve of the mail, so I must send only a hurried epistle. I am very thankful to hear that my old mother is keeping well. I hope you will watch her carefully this winter in Glasgow & not let her do too much. Aunt Kate very kindly sent me A. Birrell's Life of Hazlitt this week as a birthday present. Many thanks
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for your heather. It has the real smell of the hills. Richard Brown wrote me this week and sent me some bog-myrtle.
A melancholy event happened this week. Mrs Nelson sent me a beautiful little Irish terrier pup last Monday as a birthday present. It was christened 'Norah' and was a most engaging little beast. But yesterday it was stolen & I don't suppose I shall ever see it again. It is always my luck with dogs. You remember 'Tib', the unforgotten. "I never loved a
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sweet gazelle", but some fiend nobbled it.
A horrible fellow turned up the other day & claimed acquaintance – a man Miller, whom we met with J. Davidson at Gallatown, & who was assistant in St Brycedale. He is out reporting on a diamond mine (a nice job for an ordained minister), & he wants to leave the Church & get a job from us. I told him I had nothing for him, & no sympathy with him.
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He struck me as a thorough-going bounder. There is a Presbyterian Assembly held here next week. As H.E. leaves on Thursday for a holiday, he cannot attend; but I have got him to promise to write them a long kind letter. I suppose I shall have the entertaining of the Scotch Delegates this week. I want particularly to see Professor Rankine, whom I met at Ardwall once.
The new Lieutenant-Governor arrived last week, Sir Arthur Lawley.
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I like him very much indeed, but his coming entails a lot of extra work on me, as I have to show him the ropes. He has a charming wife, which will help the social side of things. His coming will relieve H.E. of all worrying detail work, and leave him free for the many big questions which clamour for settlement.
My soul is constantly harassed by old Boers without a penny who
