No. 4
Date: 14 December 1896
POR
[monogram]
My very dear Kit
I am awfully sorry that this won’t reach you before the 31st inst. and that you may be without a time to assure you that we shall all heartily wish you every happiness here, & hereafter, that you may have many joyous returns of your birthday. it would be nonsense for me to tell you in this that we shall remember you on that day, the fact being that your are never long absent from our thoughts. We constantly find ourselves talking about our dear girl.
Your mother has just come home from town – she says she has done a great stroke of business, she has been to the Custom House finding that she would have to pay $4.40 duty & charges on the Fan you sent out, she has decided to return it to you, & has done so C/O B.B.C. (*1) – her idea is that you should keep it if you like it as a birthday present, exchange it for anything you like better, or bring it out with you to be useful at some future wedding – in fact do just as you like with it.
Jack returned to day from Mr. Stuarts where he spent yesterday, this afternoon, would you believe it? he drove the Mater to town in his Cart this afternoon. Tell me what you think of this performance.?
We were somewhat disappointed this morning at not receiving a letter from you, but I don’t know why we should be, as your last reached us on Thursday. I think your Mater told you that the Cornwall girls have gone to the Fosters – they devote a great deal of time to Golf – they are to visit the Pearses, Pembertons & Mrs. Johnstons – Carry is also to spend a week or ten days with Mrs. French.
I am very glad you are taking lessons in Bicycle riding, preserve, I feel certain that you will succeed, & if you wish it you shall have a machine of your own, and English one, be sure you tell me how you get on? (*2)
The “Pheasant” with the Admiral on board is expected at Esquimalt tonight or tomorrow, I suspect they have had a rough time of it, the weather has been very bad since they left.
I know that you are having a real good time with Carry – tell her that I say she must not lead you into mischief or your Aunt, unless she is greatly changed is no better than Carry, beware of them. (*3)
I am becoming fearful that Frank won’t turn up in time for Xmas, he will come if he can, but I have heard of his having been offered two pieces of work, which he did not know of when he wrote.
Your Mater is urging me to give way to her, she wants to have her own say. Our united love to the Circle where ever you are – May the New Year bring fresh happiness to each and to all of course your Uncles are all included in our good wishes Again my dearest Kit, very best love from your affectionate father.
P. O’Reilly
I am very sorry if you have destroyed the last letter written to you by Capt. Mortley. Perhaps it may be in among your f______.
(*1) – Refers to the Bank of British Columbia
(*2) – Kit is learning to ride a bicycle.
(*3) – Mr. O’Reilly does not trust Carry or the Aunt to stay out of mischief.
Back to Letters 1896-97
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.