H. Stanhope to Kathleen, Constantinople, June 3, [1897]

BCARS
Add MSS 412
Box 6 File 3

H.M.S. “Melita”
Constantinople
3rd June

Dear Miss O’Reilly

It was so kind and thoughtful of you to remember my birthday and send me a white flower. Did you also have it in your recollection that I had a preference for white flowers in my button hole? You used to keep me supplied, I remember ·whenever I called at Point Ellice. I was rather surprised at your addressing from England. I thought you would have been back in B.C. by now, but I hope you have managed to arrange to stay and see some of the Jubilee sights. I should like to myself. I am so tired of this place, and when one hates a place & is obliged to remain, it does’nt attach one more to a profession to which I was never deeply attached – however!

Central Europe is flooded and we have had no post for days, so this will probably take more than the usual time to England. Once again thanking you for your kind thought of me.

Sincerely yours

Harry Stanhope

P.S.

I have put your flower in between pages 40 – 41 of “Thoughts and Words” Vol. 1, where Candide says “il faut cultiver notre jardin”. The wild flowers in this country were lovely in the spring. My doctor being somewhat of a botanist and a student of nature, I used to make him come with me for what I called “wanders”, & we returned on board always with enough to fill my cabin with wild flowers for days. I think my cabin is nearly as large as Admiral Hotham’s.

 

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This collection of letters has been digitized from an earlier transcription project and is for informational purposes only. This transcription has not been verified against the originals. Researchers interested in these letters should consult the original documents housed at the BC Archives.

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