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High Commissioner's Office, Johannesburg.
March: 16: 1903
My dear old Nan
Many thanks to you & the Mhor for your letters. It was terrible news about poor John Bouch. I had a letter from his brother telling me the facts. Apparently he had been very strange and internal all year, a kind of religious melancholia. Poor fellow, he must have suffered terribly to unhinge such an honest sober nature. It is terrible the number of intimate friends one has lost during the past years. John Bouch was liker Lorney Balfour than any of the others, but a much finer chap. England is getting very deserted. It was the irony of fate that such a strong wholesome man should have his career wrecked by brain fever, and then go out like that. I am very thankful that Providence has hitherto preserved
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me in bodily and mental health.
I hope you will have a pleasant Easter vacation. £20 was not much a contribution, but I have got some nice opals for you, unless I am compelled to give them to Mrs Walrond as a wedding present. I had a letter from William this week in a very reflective frame of mind. My home-coming plans are still uncertain, but I hope in a week or two to know definitely. John Edgar's black face will shortly dawn upon the southern horizon. I wonder how he will do. He will be in a difficult position in a nest of Bond
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intrigues, and John was never remarkable for his caution. I must write him a letter of warning. For one thing his health will be better than it seems to have been in Egypt. What with him and Sandy Gillon in the country this winter, the place will be quite like Quothquan.
I have very little news this week. Lord M. has been absent all week at a Customs Conference. Lady Anne Murray of Lochcarron is out looking at her son's [Alasdair Heneage Murray] grave & is staying with us. I hope by next Monday to have got off on a week's trek to the veld, as I am rather stale from long hours and hot weather.
My Africa book is getting on very
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well, and with luck I should finish it by August or September. I think I have a certain amount to say that is worth saying.
I hope Mother is keeping well at this trying time. I envy you Scotland in April – it is easily the nicest month, if your taste is good. Tell the Mhor that I have put the cartoon which he enclosed with his letter into the hands of my solicitors with a view to an action for libel. H.E. is co-plaintiff. So that young rascal will get his kail through the reek.
With much love to all
Your affectionate brother
John
