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High Commissioner's Office, Johannesburg.
Nov: 30: 1902
My venerable Nan
Many thanks to you & Mother for your last letters. I am very sorry to hear that you are bored with life. So am I but in a different way. I am living in a Turkish Bath & yearn for the hills of Naphthali. I think your plan of going to France in the spring a very good one. Only you must be careful to get a hold of nice people to stay with. I shall be only too delighted to pay all expenses, which I do not suppose would be very
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great, unless you bought frocks in Paris.
I had a large mail this week – letters from Denman (who is standing for Parliament), Tullibardine, who is puffed up with a most majestickal pride, and from a large number of mothers (including Mrs Balfour, her at Dawyck) asking my advice about the careers of their sons. Such a thing it is to have a reputation for common sense.
Last night was the St. Andrews Day dinner. I had to propose the toast of Scotland, a very serious affair with a half-drunken
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and vociferously patriotic audience, who roared themselves hoarse every few seconds. Gen[era]l Lyttelton & Sir Arthur Lawley also made speches – very good. On Friday I went to see 'Patience' done by quite a good company. Surely it is by far the best musical comedy ever written.
Otherwise my life has been very sombre & very thrang. Everyone is as sick as a cat in this weather. I am quite healthy, but 'wake' & I cannot keep my eyes open after dinner. It would be superb weather to be in the midst of the veld, but till January that is not for me.
H.E. on trek fell of his horse & cut
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his head open. That is the 5th accident I have known him to have, but nothing seems to teach him caution.
I went driving yesterday afternoon with 4 horses & the near leader had never been in harness before – so in the middle of the street he commenced to bite the other leader's head. It was an embarrassing situation, saved by a trace breaking; and the errant horse went off with a dozen kaffirs after it.
I hope my old Mother is keeping well.
With much love to all
Your affectionate brother
John
