Victoria
Sunday Decr. 23rd 1888
My dearest Wife.
I never allow Sunday to pass without having a chat with you, thou I fear this will be a short one.
I must first tell you how very glad I was to receive letters from you, Puss, & Frank on Friday – it was, I can assure you, a treat that I enjoyed immensely. I am sorry to hear that you had been so unwell but in the latter part of your letter you assure me that you were again quite well. I hope, dear one, that it is so, & that with Gods blessing you will be preserved in good health, & that we may meet have a happy meeting. Kit gives a nice account of her doings, her letters are always very nice but I dont receive so many as I should like. Franks letter is dated 11th Nov. It reached me on the 21st Decr. very good time, the best as yet from Buenos ayres. He writes cheerfully about himself and says that so far he has been able to accomplish all the work that has been given him. He mentions having just written to you. So you will have all his news. There is however one part of his letter to which I will refer again.
I have made up my mind that you will have the dear wee fellow with you today. I suppose he would reach London yesterday 22nd. You have mentioned when the holidays commenced or ended, as for Jack, I have not had a line from him for an age. I dont know his date as he never gives one, but his last letter was recd 1st Nov. and then only a few lines. I wish he would learn to date & No. his letters & also to keep a record for his own information, of the dates & to whom he has written.
You will all, Frank included, be sorry to hear that poor Mary Sullivan died last night in the hospital, she was to have cooked a dinner for Sir M.B. about a fortnight since, but unfortunately she was incapacitated. they say that she & her husband drink were in the habit of drinking; poor old Mary, with all her faults I liked her, she was very fond of you, specially so of Frank – and she took care of our dear ones when they were young.
Xmas is upon us but it does not feel like Xmas to me & there is nothing to remind me that it is so near. This morning His Lordship & Capt. Wyndham occupied our pew with me at St. Johns. The service was rather better than usual, after church I walked with them part of the way to the hospital, & then paid Clem Cornwall a visit, the poor lad is very weak & thin, from there I went to see Mrs. Seaton, Mr. Comptons cousin, who by the way is in very poor circumstances (this Jack must be careful not to repeat) I have tried to assist her. I am sure you would do so if you were here, the sack of old things which you left here to be given away – I sent to her, fancy she has ten children. I wish you had told me if there is anyone in particular that you wished me to look out for. I have sent a quantity of holly to St. Johns. A week since I sent some to Jin Win[?], with a request that she would divide with Lady Mac. I also sent some to the Cornwalls. Our trees are too much overgrown, but not so many berries as usual.
— Monday 24th Decr.
When I got this far J.D. Pemberton was announced, & to my great annoyance remained till nearly dark. he came to call on his Lordship but failed, as he did not return for half an hour later.
You must not worry about me the Drs say there is not fear of infection. I dont know what you will think of my undertaking the task of entertaining the Earl, he appears to be right glad to come, & we have managed to fig out his room without drawing upon any of your Nicknacks. The kitchen stove has been the greatest trouble, it is past repair. I have hired one at $1- per week. I will tell you how I get on from day to day. John & Zoe have sent over nearly all I require, for no one knows where your things are put, & I did not care to pull them about.
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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.