Victoria
29th Decr. 1888
My dearest Wife.
I am a little uncertain whether I finished my last on Xmas day, or on Xmas eve – however I dined at Fairfield on 25th & spent a very dull evening – perhaps it was my own fault. I cant get up a Christmas feeling. The Pinder family were there in force, & Mr & Mrs Hammond & child. I certainly did not enjoy myself & I am afraid I did not add much to that of others. On my way home, at 11 O.C. when passing by the Jacksons, I heard the sound of voices, I went & remained about an hour Sir M.B.B. the Wards, Beanlands & Coombs were there. I hope my dear ones were happy together. My thoughts were very much with you all, & dear Frank so far away. Though Xmas was no Xmas to me I must not omit to tell you what a very pleasant surprise I had by the receipt of a letters from you with enclosures from Jack, Frank, & Nutty. I had also a short note from Grace enclosing a card. Dear Kits letter arrived some days before, & though she does not say so, I will accept it as her Xmas greeting – it is a very nice production. I hope she will write again very soon, & tell me about her rides, &c.
Before referring to your letter, I will tell you of my doings since Xmas. On Wednesday there was an entertainment on board the H.S.M. HMS. Easpiegle[?] to which Capt Wyndham went – the Earl & I dined alone, & had a very pleasant chat. I intended to ask some on to dinner, but he begged me not to do so. On Thursday they packed up & took rooms at the club intending to devote all their time to preparing for the proposed start on Monday. I dined with them that night also M.B.B. Macdonald, Senator, the two Vernons & Willy Pinder. On that day, Thursday, with M.B.B. I acted as Judge of Dogs at the Dog & Poultry show.
Saturday – 29th Decr.
Yesterday his Lordship paid me a long visit at the office – evidently in trouble his son has had a slight relapse & the Drs say he cannot be moved on Monday – this is very disappointing, as Van Horns private Car is in route to meet them on Tuesday at Vancouver, & all other arrangements are made.
So they are booked for at least a week. So He asked me if I would take him back for a few days, of course I said I would be delighted. Last night Willy enter & Annie entertained him at dinner afterwards he returned with me to Pt Ellice. Capt Wyndham preferred to remain at the Club, which suits me very well. I dont know how the young man is today I may be able to tell you before I close. I write all this as you will like to know as much as others. He Ld L. is very nice, & is so easily pleased with everything. I am anxious to learn what you think of my having him here at all. Private – John & Zoe are, I think, annoyed with Willy. he told them he had no room in his house to entertain, & now they find the house was large enough to hold besides Ld L. Capt. Clark R.E. the two Miss Dunsmuirs, & Mr Gamble, who used to be in Joes Office – John has asked his Lordship to dine on Monday 31st and Zoe says she wont have either Willy or his wife. All this twaddle will amuse you, & Kit.
I have not written to Joe but once to Joe since he left B.C. latterly I have been writing to learn if he has been to you, all that he should be, since I will write to him tonight. Your description of the hunt is very amusing. I can well imagine the whole performance, poor Joe what a life he leads? I am very glad Kit had an opportunity of seeing the hounds throw off – there was a time with the prospect of such an event would keep me awake for half the night. She, Kit, should ride whenver she can. I am very glad, that even at the eleventh hour, she is to have some lessons in music, & that Jack is to have a tutor during the holiday, he will have no reason to regret having made this determination, if he will but apply himself with a will. I hope you will try to arrange something about his holidays when you are away – it would be a great thing to accomplish this, that we may know before hand where he is. I wish he would write more frequently and tell us more about himself. I have not received a line from since the 1st Nov. – written about the first week in Oct, but without a date. When at Uppingham the last time, he made a solemn promise that he would write regularly – this is a queer way he has got of keeping it. I should be more disappointed if you had not enclosed his letter to you. I am glad to find from it that he was so well; tell him there are two words badly spelled. Blue grey he writes Blew gray. His letter is very amusing & very characteristic of the rascal. I do hope he has been working, & that I shall receive a very good report before many days.
I congratulate you on having asked had Nutty to stay with you & I do hope you wont have any disagreeable with the Queen also that you will be friendly with the Wards by the way I gave him Mr. W. two small parcels containg icktas[?] for Frank, & Jack. You dont mention having recd them?
It was very nice of Sir Michael to send you the wrap. he has always been nice, I have neglected him of late, but must write to him before long. I have heard from him again, just in the same friendly way he always writes. Dont neglect Mr. Hughes, he also has always been very nice, & most anxious to oblige, & we shall always need his services in the future both for Frank & Jack. I shall be very curious to know how you get on with the Wind. I fear she will a trial to you at the last & particularly so when the dear man is with you. I feel grateful to the Days for being so nice to you
===== Your letters come very regularly once a week but you say you write twice, how is this? — I watch for them with a great longing, & they, dear one, never disappoints me, but Kit is very chary[?] with her paper.
The Creases had a dance a few nights since. Mrs. J.D. Pemberton will be at Home on the 2nd & Mr. Grahame on the 10th I have been invited, but wont of course go. The Local parliament opens 31st Jany. Dewdney has not said anything of late about my going to Ottawa. When I know you are coming, I will, you be sure, manage to meet you somewhere. My love to Joe & Julia the Wind, the Wards. Sir M & Lady S. &c &c. And a great deal to our dear ones who are with you – for yourself you have always had a large share. May God Bless you all
Always your devoted husband.
P. O’Reilly
Lord Listowel has just come home, & says his son is so much better today, that the Drs say he may start for England on Monday 31st inst. I cant help thinking it is rather too soon but the Drs know best. Dr. Fitzgerald accompanies the party
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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.