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HIGH COMMISSIONER'S OFFICE JOHANNESBERG
June: 25: 1902
My dearest Nan
Another hasty letter. This week – what with work and Coronation festivities – is like to be the end of me. I hope my parents arrived safely. As you know Mother was far from well when she started and I am very anxious about her. I hope the voyage will do her good, and I shall be very relieved when I hear that they have all got safely home. I am writing this to Peebles, as I don't know where you may be.
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Shall you spend the rest of the summer in Glasgow?
Last Saturday H.E. was installed and sworn in as Governor of the Transvaal. I stood at his right hand, with a face as long as the Spey, so I am told. On Friday there is a grand levée in Pretoria when I have to put on a kilt & lace & siccan vanities. A wire has just come in about the King's illness. It is very sad, and will cause great confusion, and suffering to tradespeople. Johannesburg has been
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saving up for months for a really big show, & is very disappointed. However I think all the ordinary things will come off; only the religious service will have to be postponed till the actual day of Coronation. There is to be a great Ball in Pretoria on Friday night, for which we have got up 3 reels.
I see that 'The Watcher' [by the Threshold] is in a 2nd edition already. It has been wonderfully well received. Mr Gathorne-Hardy sent me a lot of beautiful Norwegian photographs by last mail. I had also a request from a Dr Maurice Ernst to be allowed to translate my book
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into German.
Things are getting very nearly out of hand with me. My even temper is getting like devilled bones. Only, things are still more out of hand with H.E. It will pass shortly, I expect: but all my visions of shooting-trips have been knocked on the head.
Many thanks for the photographs and to Aunt Kate for the book, which pleased me greatly.
With much love to all
Your affectionate brother
John
