Victoria
16th Janry 1889
My dearest Wife.
Your more than welcome letter commences 24 & posted 27th Decr reached me yesterday. thank you my dearest one, for writing so fully about your doings, all of which I read with great interest. I am very glad you went to Walton. had you not done so, there would have been a grievance against you, which was well to avoid. You could not have gone without providing presents for the children. I am pleased that you did not forget your friends, those particularly who have been kind to you – it was a happy thought to send the Lilly of the Vally to Lady S. I shall always remember his exertions in Franks behalf – so cheerfully rendered.
Though I was the sufferer (in that your letter was cut short.) you could not have done otherwise – & I am very glad you were pleasant to Mr Hughes, he has at all times been ready to assist us in any way in his power, & we are sure to require his assistance in the future. You dont appear to have seen much of the Wards. how is this? I hope you are nice to them, you can assist them in many ways, if you like, & it would be well to do so.
I am very proud of what you tell me about our Kit & Frank Jack when at Walton. Dont worry about what you might have spent. I am sure it is not more than you thought necessary. You ought to know by this time, how welcome you are to it. —– You will, I am afraid, find it rather trying having the visitors you name, in No 40- but it will end, perhaps has ended before this: try to be gratious to Her Ladyship. I cannot think that she means to be other than kind & friendly to you. I look forward to seeing him out here – think well over what I said in my last, about asking the daughter to accompany him, & to stay with us while he is away shooting.
I am glad to find that you appreciate Ashleys efforts to be friendly. I have, as you know, always liked him, he is not a good host, but he tries to be nice, & is always kind & obliging. So Lady T. & the “Insect” do not hit it off – the former is very unforgiving and bitter.
17th Janry
The election for Mayor & Councillors is going on, it is feared that Bob will be beaten by Grant. I hope not. If possible I will let you know the result in this —
This morning I recd a very nice letter from Ld Listowel, announcing the safe arrival of the party at Montreal. He says Lord Ennismore was better than when he left Victoria & that the Doctor (Howard) says that in a fortnight, they can proceed on their journey to Ireland. This is very good news, for I think there was a great deal of risk in moving him when they did. All is well that ends well.
I have bought a Cow, half Jersey, to Calve in early in March. There is plenty of feed, & as I got her cheap, I thought better to secure her.
The Election is over, & Grant is again Mayor, he beat Bob by 226 votes – I am very sorry for Bob would have made a good Mayor & Grant has proven himself a failure. The Colonist by its impolitic course in abusing Grant has secured his victory. I have been inundated with visitors all the afternoon, & now I must either send this off as it is or keep it till tomorrow – it is better to send it & write again. no news as yet as to the date of your departure? No news from Frank for a long time. you promised to send me his letters to Puss & to Jack.
My love to Sir Joseph & Lady Trutch to the Wind & to all friends. I saw a Photo of Mr. Ward yesterday at Highwood – a very good one, find out when it was taken, & try again for a good one of your dear self & Kit. All well at Fairfield and at Highwood also the Pinders.
God Bless you both
Your devoted 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.