2110-1-15-5

High Commissioner's Office, Johannesburg.

July: 29: 1903

My dearest Mother

This is the last letter you will get from me from Africa. But you might write me a line to the Bachelor's Club where I shall be on Sept. 6th. I am off tonight on my expedition, which I think will be very interesting. I am glad that my last experience of Africa will be one of the wilds. I should

be sorry to go straight from an office on board ship.

I have just said good-bye to Lord Milner (till October). He was outstandingly kind, & I am in a rather melancholy mood. It is horrible to come to an end of anything, and feel that a door has been shut on part of your life. "Better is the end of a thing than the beginning," as

Solomon, who had tried most things, well observed. I have had a very fine time, a great deal of pleasure too, but the chief advantage is that I have come on so much, learned so much, know so much better what I can do & what I can't do. I wouldn't have missed the experience for worlds, and nothing can make me regret that I came out here two years ago.

I hope you are keeping well &

cheerful. We shall all be together at Altarstone for at least one week, which will be nice. I am greatly looking forward to seeing you all again.

With much love to all

Your affectionate son

Jock.