2110-7-6-6

Government House, Ottawa

5th November, 1935

My own darling Mother

Here we are, settled at last, in a most beautiful and comfortable house. Cast observed that "it is something after the Windsor style." We have had a rigorous three days, in which we have lived like goldfish in a bowl. The arrival at Quebec on Saturday was most dramatic. We came in in the evening, with a flaming red sunset behind the superb line of the Citadel and the old town, and every ship in the harbour hooting in welcome. The drive by torchlight with a cavalry escort to Parliament Buildings was extra: :ordinarily romantic, and so was my reviewing of the red- coated troops in the old Square. The ceremony of the swearing- in was most dignified. Apparently I said precisely the right thing in reply to the addresses, and my French accent was admired. I think that was Gallic politeness, but it is certainly a great deal better than that of the Canadian Ministers, even the Frenchmen! The Prime Minister was very good in his address, and I am going to have a very happy time with him. Afterwards I had to shake hands with over five hundred peple, and when we got to the sanctuary of our train I was pretty well all out. My uniform is very heavy.

The/

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The train is the acme of comfort. We pulled out of the station to lie in a siding for the night, and the next day went for walks, and motored down the river to see the snow geese. It was wonderful weather, and the little club of French-Canadian sportsmen, who showed us round, were delight: :ful fellows. Early yesterday morning we came on to Ottawa, and arrived at three in the afternoon. There was a gigantic crowd at the station; and I had more troops to review, including the Cameron Highlanders of Canada. Then I had to hold a levée of three or four hundred people. Then we started our drive in a carriage, with outriders and a cavalry escort -- happily in fine weather. The streets were packed, and we got a wonderful welcome. People in the crowd kept crying out "Good luck, John!" The Prime Minister said he had never seen a Governor-General so taken to the heart of the country at once. My first job, as soon as we arrived at Government House, was to swear in the new Minister of Agriculture to the Privy Council. He and the Prime Minister stayed to tea, and in the evening we had a staff dinner of our household, including the honorary doctor, etc. We are going to be a very happy and contented household, I think, and all the appurtenances of this house are the last word in comfort. Alastair, after his dog-kennel at Eton, has a stately sitting-room and a stately bedroom and a large bathroom of/

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of his own. I think, when you and Nan come, we can at any rate make you comfortable.

Susie is sleeping the round of the clock. We are both pretty tired, the voyage having been no kind of rest. Our house physician is going to vet me to-night, and put me on a regime so that I can put on some weight. But I am looking very well, and am feeling enormously better. The cooking is so superb, and this is such a hungry place, that I must soon put on flesh. In my library I have all the family photographs around me, and in our little private breakfast-room I shall have prayers with Alastair and Susie. The Prime Minister is coming to dine to-night, for I have some confidential things to talk to him about. He goes off to Washington to stay with the President tomorrow, on a very important mission.

It is a tremendous thing to have started, for we have really been hung up for seven months. I shall have very little to do for the next week or two, then at the end of the month I must pay my first official visits to Montreal and Toronto, and receive degrees at both Universities, and make several speeches. My life here is going to be very leisured, compared to the one I led at home. every/ I think I can manage to get three letters away to you

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every week by different routes. You many be sure I will miss no chance. I shall eagerly look for your letters. I do hope you and Nan and Walter are well.

Much love.

from

John