2110-2-2-6

Tormore Shiskine, Arran. N.B.

Aug. 27. 1901

My dear John,

I don't know whether I have ever received a letter which has given me such mixed feelings as yours, received yesterday. In the first place I'm greatly delighted to hear of your splendid appointment. I've thought over it a great deal since I received your letter and I think you have done well to accept. I know that you will be casting longing looks at the Bar and perhaps have a good deal of hesitation about leaving it; but the chance you have got is not one to be missed. As you say, the prospect of Government appointments in the future will be greatly improved after your experience in S.A., but beyond this, for political life in the future, you will have a splendid pull over others when you return with an intimate knowledge of all the reconstruction of the Transvaal

S.A. may be a centre of attention for many years to come, and your opinion will be that of an authority. So I congratulate you most sincerely on your appointment and hope you may have great success in your new work.

But on the other hand, I am terribly sorry that I'm going to lose you from London. Of course it is only for 2 years, but we can't say what will happen thereafter, and even 2 years is a very long time. Your rooms were a haven of refuge to me, and I enjoyed nothing more than my visits there. I shall greatly miss your presence and your advice, from which I have already profited so much. But we'll look forward to the future and hope for renewed visits; who knows - I may perhaps ere long be writing out to you to look out for a crib for me in South Africa. If I don't get work at the Bar, I'll turn to my friend to use his influence for me in some other sphere of activity. In the meantime, I want to thank

you most sincerely for the latest token of your kindness in mentioning me to Strachey as your successor on the Spectator staff - until you return. If the Editor were willing to try me, I'd work like a Turk to satisfy him - all the more as you have recommended me. I am, however, very diffident concerning my ability for the post; but I'm looking forward to have a talk with you on the subject before you go. Please send a note to me - to 39 Kersland Terrace, Hillhead, Glasgow - when you arrive in Glasgow and name a place where I could see you. If your time would allow of it we might spend an afternoon or evening together in the Exhibition & talk over things. I have much to say to you, though probably, when we meet, I shall have forgotten half. I am not building up hopes of being allowed to keep your stool in the Spectator office warm until you return; indeed I can scarcely allow myself to think of

the possibility. But were it to become reality - oh what joy were mine!

I suppose your two new co-tenants will take over the rooms at 3 Temple Gardens. What a deal of trouble you'll have in arranging about taking out your belongings. That reminds me that I still have your Fyffe's Modern Europe; I must finish it off soon & return the volume to you in Glasgow.

There's to be a concert here on Wednesday evening & I've been driven to consent to sing. I was wishing I had words & tune of "Gone - entirely gone", that I might introduce you to Fame. It would be a grand thing to announce - "words by the Political Private Secretary to Lord Milner". I see the Evening News of last night gives you a wrong father but the Ev. Times has it right.

I write this in haste, with the paper resting on my knee, so excuse the scrawl. I hope you'll have a good time during your short holiday. Remember me to Finley. I hope to hear from you when you return to Glasgow & to see you also. How I am looking forward to it! How quickly changes are wrought in one's fortunes! Yours ever,

W. Craig Henderson