2110-1-14-6

ReadAboutContentsHelp

Pages

page_0001
Complete

page_0001

[image-version of the coat of arms of the United Kingdom]

High Commissioner's Office,

Johannesburg

April: 25 :: 1903

My dearest Mother

May thanks to you and Anna for your last letter. I hope Anna has had a pleasant holiday and is much refreshed. Unhappy Bird! [His brother, Walter] What is wrong with that stalwart fowl? I doubt indoor life is not the one for him.

Poor old body! You are cumbered about with many cares. I am glad you did so well at the Sale of Work. It is time you and "Auld John Ox" parted company, or the one will be the death of the other. I will be glad to give you a contribution, if you will tell me what you want.

I hope you have taken Altarstone for September.

Last edit almost 3 years ago by Stephen
page_0002
Complete

page_0002

or some equally nice bit. I don't suppose I shall be able to let you know the date I am coming home till just before I sail, as Lord Milner intends to leave like a thief in the night.

John Edgar seems to like his work and Cape Town enormously. I regret to say that he has joined the Bond in spirit already. I intend to deal very faithfully with him pretty soon.

I have had a hard week's work, for I had 3 days on a Legal Commission, and the rest of the time I have been busy drafting franchise proposals, and preparing a Federal Budget. But my life now is

Last edit about 3 years ago by ubuchan
page_0003
Complete

page_0003

much more leisurely than it has been for months, and I have actually leisure to read a few books. I have just finished such a good Jacobite novel - "Poor Sons of a Day" by a cousin of Lady Tullibardine's.

I had a large mail this week, - letters from Richard Brown, Uncle Willie, [?illegible], Denman, Strachey, Raymond Asquith, & Angela Malcolm. Richard Brown is very opposed to the idea of my leaving politics for literature - as indeed so am I. He says that the eldest Miss Hamilton is married - another blow to his young affections. Raymond Asquith is in Egypt, and thinks very little of it. He says that the desert sunsets, with their rapid variations from

Last edit about 3 years ago by ubuchan
page_0004
Complete

page_0004

pink to purple remind him of nothing so much as Beerbohm Tree in "Herod".

There is a small reunion of the inhabitants of Peeblesshire being got up here, at which I am asked to preside. I am also lecturing to the Philosophical Society next month.

I am very well, & the weather could not be better though we made it ourselves. Every morning at 6 I either ride or walk for an hour, & it is perfectly delicious. I hope you will have a good summer after your stormy winter.

With much love to all

Your affectionate son

John

Last edit about 3 years ago by ubuchan
Displaying all 4 pages