2110-1-12-4

X Send me a copy of Catullus for a Xmas present J.B

High Commissioner's Office, Johannesburg.

Nov: 14: 1902

My dearest Mother

A short & dull letter this, for I am scandalously overworked. I have got my Ordinance through Council & am now organising a department with the masterly rapidity of Pierpoint Morgan. Many thanks to Anna for her last letter. I received the bridescake, which I think must have fallen in the sea, for it tasted gashly bad. I heard from Uncle Willie also this week and from Aud John, and to my great

surprise had a letter from Gilbert Murray, who tells me that he has got a new son.

I went to dinner with the Ecksteins last Monday – the best dinner I have ever eaten. It is funny to find first class French cookery in Africa. All Monday afternoon H.E. had a garden party, and for two mortal hours in a blazing sun with a thick frock coat & a heavy top coat I stood grinning & bowing & introducing people to him. The Westminsters in their oldest clothes sat

on a balcony and took snap-shots of my performance. After the guests had gone I had 2 hours work with H.E. & I was as fagged as an old horse when it was all over.

Everybody here is going home – the Attorney-General, the Chief-Justice & Gerard Craig-Sellar. I, only I, remain. Till Xmas I shall spend practically all of each week in Pretoria, & by that time, when Joe [Chamberlain] arrives, I hope to have a Lands department working smoothly & scientifically. The accounts have been abominally kept & I have a

heavy job in front of me to straighten them out. Just this time last year I was in the throes of the Burgher Camps at their worst. However, I like the present confusion better than the confusion last year, for it is not a matter of human life as the other was.

I am very well this week. The Leconfields go off in 10 days – very pleasant people. Lady Leconfield is not unlike Aunt Agnes (of Lochhorn) in a far off way. She takes fits of long silent laughter at nothing.

With much love to all

Your affectionate son John