2110-1-11-9

Lascelles, Shortlands, Kent.

30 X '02

Dear John,

I am writing as usual to pester you with questions and to ask favours, as I dare- say a good many of your friends do.

Well, I want to get out to S.A. at any price. I have

had a pretty rotten time at home and would swap a crossing to be away on my own hook trying to make a living. I want to try my hand at farming; very rash I dare say, but when I have lost what I have got at that, I can start the crossing-sweeper business. I should like to get on a biggish farm, with a decent man I could learn from for a bit and the part I want to go to is Matabili-

land, near the Matoppos or some of the highlands in B.S.A.

You will think me a damned nuisance for writing to you about this, and I expect it is quite outside your province: but I am awfully set on it and if you could hear of anything that would suit me or give me any information I should be awfully grateful.

I was up in Oxford

a fortnight ago for our Gaudy and enjoyed myself immensely. It was a very good show indeed. Brock and Cresswell were up and it was quite like the old days.

I stayed on for a bit with Wylie and had a game of golf. I saw Fox too: he looked ill but makes the best of life and is a very good companion.

I saw your young brother and was very glad he had

done so well in I.C.S. I wonder whether he will take it.

I have just had a long letter from D.V. from Salonica. He thinks his service too slow and unambitious and may chuck it, I should say. I wish he would come out farming with me. Life's not worth living