Envelope
NO. 3 August 7th
P. O’Reilly Esquire
care of J.C. Haynes Esquire
Sooyoos.
My own beloved
It seems a long time since I finished my last letter to you does it not? but, one things and another has conspired to delay my commencing not but what my thoughts are always & every with you. Indeed I feel more lonely here than ever such to is a great disappointment to me that I have not heard from you since you left Hope. God grant that you may have accomplished your journey in health & safety, and that very soon now you may be able to turn your steps towards home & me. I have of course a great deal to tell you, I hardly know where to begin, but I had better return to the day I left off Wednesday morning
The Governor & Joe, Capt. Porter & Mr. Bushby left in the ’’Forward’’. They expected Capt. Oldfield to come in the ’’Enterprise’’ the night before but the “Leviathan” did not arrive until half an hour before the time of the ’’Forward’s’’ sailing. It was a very hot day. Mr. Sauders went up the same morning in the ’’Lillooet’’. Mr. Barnard having offered to take them to Clinton free of expenses. I knew the steamer would wait for the ’’Leviathan’’ and to our surprise when we saw the party walking down. Mr. Bushby was included. I am sorry the Govr. took him for I think his counsels are likely to be injurious to the Dommion Zeal. Not long after they had left I had a note from Mrs. S asking me to go there, inviting Mama & Julia to dinner, so I put up a few things & went over the mosquitoes were really awful. Mary
& the darling came over & I was awake all night trying to keep him from being bitten for there was no netting at the window or bed. Thursday was especially bad & Friday Mrs. S made up her mind to come down, and Julia made up her mind to come with her & she did & is here now & I believe will remain here all the time I am here if she possibly can. It is impossible for me to describe the twisting and turnings of her tongue, I must say she is very clever in her way. It is needless to say that her being here in a great measure destroys the pleasure of my visit for she is so contrary, always contradicting but, I try to keep up a show of friendless towards her. First she said she wouldn’t come down & then she said she was to go to Fairfield if Mama is anxious to stay with
her & so that was arranged & all the things she wanted were to come down from the ’’Leviathan’’ & then on the Friday she came to see Mrs. S & said she could not really take the trouble for so short a time for she was sure then William would only be away a fortnight & that she must come back to W to meet him & that for her part she could bear the mosquitoes very well that it was only on Mama’s account etc., etc. & it ended as she intended it should be. Mrs. S telling her to come with us & Mama also I assure you I never could have believed that anyone could have so maneuvered but she has succeeded & Mrs. S seems to like her. Mama & she dined here again on the Thursday. & on Friday Mr. Good dined. The ’’Enterprise’’
came up to the Camp & took us all on board Mrs. S told me that she had telegraphed for My carriage to come & meet her.
We had a very pleasant trip down the Gulf was as smooth as glass but Oh! dearie it has been a cruel disappointment to me not to have you with me.
I feel so depressed at times. My sweet Francis is my great joy, the change down here has already done him good & he is looking quite rosy again. Of course the sweetie sleeps with me & is a great comfort to me. Well we arrived at the wharf at 1/2 past 5 & Capt. Oldfield rushed on board to escort Mrs. S. Mr. & Mrs. Pearse also came down to invite Julia to go with them but of course that was the last thing she thought of doing.
She came & invited herself into the pony carriage with Mrs. S, Capt. Oldfield & myself & Mr. Pearse drove Mama who remained here until Monday & then went to stay with Mrs. Stanhschlmidt. The carriage was left here on Saturday evening & has been in great regret tho I had not had much use of it. Mrs. S went to Church on Sunday. Mr. Mannsell drove & went also coming back Mama having declined it, offered my place to Julia who of course accepted. & Mama & I having spoken to some of our old friends walked up with Mr. Mannsell & Mr. Young but Capt. Oldfield who I must tell you
was in Church & who immediately insisted on driving came back and picked us up opposite the Alston. I thought Mr. Young would come on to lunch but he did not. Mrs. Young is much better Capt. I lunched here & M & Julia spent the afternoon on the rock with him & took a walk. In the evening we had some singing. I did my best for your sake
but I have not much spirit for singing. On Monday there was a dance on board the ’’Malacca’’ Capt 0 invited Julia & me & she was most anxious to go & the carriage was ordered to take her & when it came round thro some mistake it was the Young carriage but it was all the same to her & off she
went dressed to death to see if she could go with Mrs. Rhodes but as usual she was too late & so she went to call on some friend at the St. George & there to see Mr. Young. Mama & Mrs. Seymour & I had a nice walked & Mama went to Clayton’s & go a beautiful bunch of flowers which she presented to Mrs. S. That morning Miss Needham came over & sang a good deal & I also sang. We were invited by Mrs. Joe Pemberton to a small party last night, but I declined, Julia went. It rained all the morning & we helped Mrs. S with the screens in the afternoon. The Bishop & Mrs. Hill called also Sir James Douglas
and Mrs. Bushby & Mrs. Good, the former looking very ill. I stepped out & went over to Mama & we took a short walk to see Mrs. Alston. We met Mrs. Sthridges & the newly arrived Mr. Leggatt to whom Mrs. S introduced us. He is not bad looking & resembles Letite more than Nelly. The wedding is again put off for Mr. Sthridge starts on Friday for a tour of Kamloops & Shepherd & has invited young Leggatt to go with him, so the day is not to be married until they return. Very probably you will see or hear something of them. I also met Mr. Burnaby & had a chat with him & with the Bishop & Mrs. Hill whom we met returning. We found Mrs. A quite blooming Capt. 0 dined here. The pony carriage was again
ordered out for Julia to go to Mrs. Pembertons. I can’t tell whether her airs &
graces, anger or amuse me the most. It seems very strange to watch her when I think of all the past & how very great a change has taken place with her during the past five years. There was a telegram from the Govr. last evening from Soda Creek, all well. Everyone is on the quiver for news. I can’t help fearing that there will be trouble God grant that I may be wrong. We had a quiet evening, I sang & Mrs. S sang. Capt O. was here. She sang very sweetly.
This morning Mr. Mannsell drove me into town for the first time. I was very unsuccessful I could not get a hat or a bonnet at Turners & I had no time to go to Denny’s for Mr. M wanted to be back to lunch as he had promised to ride with Julia. There has been a number of callers Mrs. Good & Miss Nelly, Mrs. Charles, Mr. Pearse & Capt. Oldfield who it would appear is staying with the Pearses. Mrs. S
is gone to call on Mrs. Hastings, Capt. O. drove her, she asked me if I would go but I don’t care to drive so far on the back seat no support whatever. I must say that I shall not care to lend my carriage here to be driven about by everybody. Julia is gone on the Governor’s horse & Mr. M on Yank. I must say she does
not want anything for the asking. Fancy her asking Mrs. S to let her ride the Govr. horse. I heard her & can you not imagine her gladness & delight at going down with Mrs. L to call on Mrs. Hastings. Mrs. S did not ask her but I heard her propose to Mr. M to follow them & then she sent Charlotte up for her card case. There is to be another party on board the “Malacca” to-morrow & I fancy Mrs. S will go between ourselves she is not all adverse to receiving attention & Capt. 0 is a prime favourite. I can not say great for he is so unfortunately
small. Between ourselves there is nothing the matter with her except ennice [enceinte] she has every good appetite & is able to walk as well as I can & I shall be much amused if she goes on board to-morrow. She has never been to Esquimalt or indeed anywhere. I try to encourage her to go out as much as possible. I am waiting in almost mounting anticipation of getting a letter from you my own dear love, Thursday just after mailing the above your dear hand writing met my eyes but, I must is rather shabby note No. 2 from Sooyoos July 21st however my darling I am thankful to have it & to learn that you had reached so far in safety. I have also had very pleasant news, just this morning. Mr. Ellis is actually in Victoria & came to see me. I think him looking very well. I introduced him to Mrs. Seymour & I think she likes him.
and will ask him to dinner & I shall hope to see him every day while he is here. I was quite low spirited yesterday before receiving your letter & had a good cry but I feel more cheerful this morning tho I am awfully tired for I was overwhelmed with visitors this morning & I have driven Mrs.
S to Esquimalt & back . She did really go on board the ’’Malacca’’ we went down to Foster’s Pier & found the little Captain waiting. Julia & Miss Needham went in the naval cutter & Mr. Mannsell did duty on the front seat. The horse Big Bend went very well. We went on board & had lunch & after I staying a short time Mrs. S & I left. Capt. 0 took us for a pull round the ’’Zealous’’
and out to the Light House. We went quite close to Belmont that memorable spot & then we drove home. I assure you I can hardly keep my eyes open. Mr. Ellis has been for a walk with Mama & Francis. Mr. Sthridge & Capt. Layton called this morning. They start to-morrow & expects to meet you somewhere on their travels. Mrs. Alston & Mrs. Ivys also called. Last evening I went to the Needhams, but only for a short time & I did not dance at all, but I played several dances for them. The usual set of people were there so new faces except two or three of the officers of the ’’Zealous’’.
To-day the Commander Capt. Liddell took me to lunch & I think him very pleasant, he is married. Mrs. S was admitted to see Mrs. Hastings yesterday in her bedroom she has had a mishap. Mr. Ellis has told me something of your adventure at the river & I am indeed alarmed & at the same time grateful to the Almighty that the consequence were not more serious to dear John. He is too adventurous. Give him my affection & impress upon him to be careful for my sake, & his dear ones. I am glad you had had a pleasant time tho I can’t help fearing that you will be longer than you expected. Mr. Ellis asked for the Bank bill & I gave it to him. There is no further news from
Cariboo, but something must be known in a day or two. Mary has behaved very well as yet tho every day, I am more or less anxious about her. I hope she will give me no trouble. Our darling Fuddle is well & blooming the change has done him so much good. We both sent you many fond kisses with much dear love.
Always dearest I am you loving devoted wife.
Carry O’Reilly
I am glad Young & Stocton got so far well. Mrs. S sends her best regards and happiness & Mama her
love to you & dear John.
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.