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High Commissioner's Office, Johannesburg
March: 23: 1903
My dearest Mother
I was very glad to get Anna's letter this week. I am starting tonight on my holiday, and in two days shall be among the barbarian people of Swaziland. It promises to be fine weather and I think I shall enjoy myself. Then I return to my old private secretary's work.
The Land Department gave me a farewell dinner on Friday. Old Jameson made affecting remarks about the Pathhead manse. I was vexed to part with the people, all of whom I had myself apppointed, and a nicer lot than which doesn't exist. I shall always have a very great
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interest in that Department, as my own creation.
Tell Anna that there is a man called Leach, one of the assistant secretaries in the Treasury, a nice fellow but unco 'Glasgy'. He presented me with 'Wee Macreegor', of which work I now possess 3 copies. I think it a rotten little book, full of sublime remarks, like "Maw, I've a sair wame."
H.E. has been at Bloemfontein all week & returns on Wednesday, so I shall not see him before I leave. I am afraid my attempt to bring out Mrs Nethersole's husband as Irrigation Expert here has failed. I induced H.E. to write to
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Curzon asking for his services & offering a salary equivalent to about £3000 a year. Curzon replied saying that Nethersole couldn't be spared, but adding that he had appointed another man, who had already sailed – a most arbitrary proceeding, which made H.E. very angry. I don't think Nethersole can be a favourite with the heads of his Dep[artmen]t, for of course it is all nonsense to say that he couldn't be spared. I am writing to Maud to tell her.
Lady Anne Murray has gone now. She went over to me every incident in her son's life at least a dozen times. Poor lady, she is absolutely crushed. She presented me with a thick volume of his letters, which I regret to
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say I cannot find anywhere.
I hear of nothing but marrying & giving in marriage at home. Every letter brings me news of another victim. I must say I am surprised at Willie Finlay. He was the last man I should have expected.
I hope Anna will go to Touraine at Easter with Uncle Willie. I should have thought it much nicer than Paris.
With much love to all
Your affectionate son John
