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HIGH COMMISSIONER'S OFFICE, JOHANNESBURG,
Feb: 17:: 1902
My dearest Nan
I was delighted to get your interesting letter on Friday. I also heard from Willie, John Bouch, Strachey, Dan Tudhope (who wants to come out), Uncle Willie & Aunt Kate. I also got my battels from Brasenose, which made me weep, and a letter from my old clerk. I had an awful week with overwork, for my clerk had dysentery, and H.E. simply kept piling things on to me. I am very well now and have entirely got
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over my complaint. The weather is deliciously cool, with quite an autumn feeling in the air. I am meditatin a book to be called "African Studies", on the same lines as Sir Alfred Lyall's 'Asiatic Studies' - containing essays on scenery, sport, people & politics. I think it might be an interesting memento of my sojourn here.
I see Lady Evelyn Giffard is to be married - another blow! We live in stirring times here. The Boers got 15 miles off on Thursday and cut up a squadron of Mounted Infantry. The Rand Rifles were called out on Saturday, but I couldn't go
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as I had to go to Pretoria to see Lord K. I wish I could have gone, for they were out 2 days and had some firing.
I had a very pleasant time in Pretoria. K was most amiable. I went to a Presbyterian Kirk, where a decent man Grae from Eddleston presided. in the evening I climbed one of the hills & got a splendid view of the bush-veld to the north.
I am very sorry to hear about the Davidsons' misfortunes. I hope soon to send you a lot of photographs of my house, horses & person. Hugh Wyndham is much better, & has gone off on trek with Rimington after De Wet
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There is a Bachelors' Ball on Friday, but I don't think I shall go. I travelled to Pretoria with little Marshall, who sends me all the letters he had received from his children. He really is a nice little man, and very Peeblesshire.
I have not had time to read much, but I have been dipping into Emerson's 'English Traits', a fine book, & reading some Elizabethan lyrics in a little book I discovered in a bookshop.
I suppose all you exiles will meet at Peebles in April, about the time I hope to get down to see Mother. My countenance is sensible, but not plain, begorrah!
Much love to all Your affectionate brother John
