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HIGH COMMISSIONER'S OFFICE, JOHANNESBURG,
Jan: 9:: 1902
My dear Bird [in pencil 'his brother Walter']
I was very much pleased to receive your profound letter. It is sad to think of you flapping your wings in N. Kelvinside and contemplating the Campsies. Do you ever see the clerical C. H. Dick? He should be a near neighbour. I hope you won't be very dowie before your parents return and reconstitute your home.
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What classes have you at college and how are you doing. Glasgow University seems to be out here bodily. I receive constantly letters from people who say they knew me, asking for jobs - not to speak of people who knew my father or were baptised in Knox's. I really must get a printed slip to answer them on.
I got all my presents safely. Just lately I have been passing through the furnace, having had a bad
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attack of dysentery & fever. They are a nasty conjunction, for you have to take opiates for the dysentery and they of course increase your fever. On Monday I lay in bed. Tuesday & Wednesday, I struggled down to the office but I was as weak as a cat. Today I am better, but nothing to boast of for strength. I hate missing a day, for my work is so complicated that I must keep all the threads in my hands, and the slightest neglect ravels them.
The city of Johannesburg gave a dinner last night to H.E., and he made
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a long speech, chiefly replying to pro-Boer attacks, which he might well have left alone. His forecast was not very good, but he was very tired.
You will see an article on 'Land Settlement' by me probably in the April number of the Edinburgh Review [both words underlined]. I am very keen on that subject, for I think it is the chief S. African problem & much the most hopeful.
I hope you are getting on well with your classes. Write me when you have time & I will answer you
Yours very affectionately
John Buchan
