Victoria
15th Decr. 88.
My dearest Wife
I must write to you a few lines today – the 25 – Anniversary of to me, the most important day of my life. I am indeed thankful to God for having given me so good a wife. May he in his mercy spare us to meet in health, & to live in happiness for many years to come.
It has been a bright mild day – a busy one for me, as I will tell you later. I dined at Fairfield, Willy & his Wife, & Miss Newton besides, John talked a great deal about the wedding, (our wedding) & narated many things that I had forgotten. Zoe also exerted herself to be pleasant, & provided an excellent dinner. John proposed our health & mine. I told them how much I regretted your absence, if only that you might have thanked them more fitly.
As I said I have had a busy day for in the morning Capt Wyndham called to say the Earl would like to come here on Monday, if quite convenient, of course I said it would be, so I then I went in search of Mrs Ward & Lizzie Deasy. They both came & worked all the day. I have taken out of your stock as few things as possible & have borrowed from Zoe a good many things – dont tell Julia this, she might fancy I had her property. The young man continues to improve, but the Drs dont yet think him out of danger & I dont know when they will allow him to be moved from the hospital. There was to have been a consultation yesterday this evening, but I have not heard the result. — It is past 1 O.C. I must say good night & God bless you all. I sleep worse if possible than ever I am always awake before 6.am. no matter what hour I go to bed. This cannot be posted before Monday so I will stop for the present, & will add another line tomorrow.
— Monday 17th Decr.
I had almost forgotten our Dear Kits birthday. This will I hope, reach you before the 31st as I want you to give her some serviceable present, that will be acceptable, with my fond love & all good wishes for her happiness both here, & hereafter. She is a naughty Kit for not writing to me.
How I should like to be with you when this reaches England. Not that I envy you your happiness in having both our dear ones with you, for I know how well you have deserved it. You have been very good in writing so regularly – your letters give me a great deal of pleasure but I know mine are but a very poor return. I long as much as ever for the arrival of the mail to bring me tidings of you & Kit. now they will have an additional interest as you will be able to tell me about Jack. I do hope he got on well at school & that his warts are better, or have altogether disappeared. — John came over last evening soon after 4 – to stay, he said, five minutes, but he did not get away till 9-P.M. He is to invite the Earl to dinner for some day this week.
I am greatly disappointed at not getting the letters today, that I know were written, at first I hear there was no English mail, but afterwards I learned that a very large one had been recd. I will hope that mine may come tomorrow if not I wont blame you for I know well, that it is through no fault of yours.
Today his Lordship told me that the Drs assure him that his son may with safety be moved on Monday, this day week, & that he intends to take him straight from the Hospital to Vancouver, where Mrs, Van Horns car is to meet them. He also said he would like to return to the Hotel Friday, or Saturday so that he might be near his son. he was profuse in his thanks for hospitality &c &c. I did not object, though I dont see the force of his remarks. No matter we have done the civil, which all that might have been expected of us under the circumstances. I am now scribbling to catch todays mail. I earnestly hope that you may all have a very enjoyable time you must be joyful on the little fellows & Puss’ account & on my account. The Pinders entertained his Lordship &c & myself on Friday. I know you will like to know this.
Tomorrow will be the first Xmas that we have been parted with one exception Viz 1871. It is no Xmas to me, without you my dearest Carry, & our dear ones—
I hope you have had a pleasant meeting with Joe & Julia & that the Wind has not been too severe. Give them all my love. I will write to Joe in a day or two. May God bless you all is my constant prayer.
Ever your affect. & loving husband.
P O’Reilly
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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.