Victoria
14th Janry 1889
My dearest Kit.
Your welcome letter of the 21st Decr. reached me on the 7th inst. just after your return to Clarges Str. Your journey from Folkestone in the fog must have been disagreeable but you were rewarded by three days fine weather in London more than I experienced there all last winter. I am so glad you say the wee man was looking well, he is a cheery monkey. You say truly that I would be rejoiced to see him – this is a painful subject. I wont say more about it. I hope you wont let your mother fret, & worry too much at parting with him, & try to prevent him from dwelling too much on this subject. —– I hope you have all had a very happy time together and that Jack has not given trouble. How does he get on with his Uncle & Aunt? – how did the Wind behave to him? — Has Arthur Hare grown. I should like to have heard him recite. latterly I thought Bobo the nicer boy of the two – I hope you succeeded in getting a tutor for Jack, & that he will have benefitted by his application during the holidays. I am glad Lady Seymour was so friendly when you saw her at Clarges St. her manner is peculiar, but I fancy she meant to be kind to you all, there is no doubt about him, & if she was otherwise it would be very annoying to him.
I am hoping you will travel with Mr. Drummond, it would be so much better than coming alone. Alice is now quite confident that it has been made all right for her. I promised to go there to tell on Wednesday, when no doubt I shall hear particulars.
It certainly is peculiar about Mr. Trepplin. Can Sir M. be mistaken? I hope you found Mrs. Ruck well, she is a kind old soul – remember me to her, to George & all of them. Dont forget to see Mrs. Ellis. Have you seen anything of Nelly Drake, or of Dr. Matthews sisters? –
I cannot find my winter socks – perhaps I have none, your Mother will know, if not, I should like, say 3 prs, not too heavy, but warm. The same with regard to my winter vests & drawers. They will know at Threshers the sort I like. I can find but two sets so it is wash & wear these are a quanty for summer use. – In the next batch of letters, I hope to hear when you will start, & by what Str. I most heartily hope the fatigue of the journey was over for you both, it is a comfort to know you are such a good sailor, & that you will be able to look after dear Mater. There is not much doubt
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but that I will go to meet you to Ottawa or perhaps to N. York but I cant say at present. There is one thing certain that I shall have to go out early this season, & if you dont come quickly, I shant see much of you at Victoria—
The Election for Mayor comes off on Thursday Robt Ward & Mr. Grant are candidates. There is a good deal of excitement, but I hope & think that Bob will be elected. Your Mother mentioned that you & Jack had recd letters from Frank, & that they would be sent on to me, but they have not come. It is a good while since I have heard from B.A. — If I am to catch this nights mail I must stop. My love to your Uncle and Aunt to the Wind and to all friends not forgetting Sir M. —
May God bless you my dearest Kit. My best love to you both the dear Man will have gone back to his school – Believe me
Always your Affect. father
P. O’Reilly
My love to the Wards & to Mr. Hughes. You may tell the former that I saw Alice Nelly & Toots today all blooming – they were begging for a school treat for children.
On 18th I dine at F.field to commemorate Joes Birthday.
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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.