Mean Shabby Letter

KIMBERLEY CLUB,

KIMBERLEY.

November 29th 1897

My dear Raymond and Joe

I don't like writing these mean shabby letters to you both on one piece of paper. But what can I do, when things are put off till the last moment? You must put up with it for the present, & hope for better things, & a reformation in this respect.

Hooroosh! Raymond; more power to you; let me congratulate you, first on the result of your examinations, and next on winning your football colours. Your letter came all right, after all, last week. It must have been mislaid at the post office, for it was delivered to me three days after I got the others.

You must have enjoyed yourself at Portsmouth Dock yard, in spite of your disappointment, at not seeing any machinery; and you must have enjoyed that tenpenny lunch of Gingerbread & buns and your threepenny cigar. What a howling swell you must have thought yourself as you swaggered around with that cigar in your mouth. Mr Begbie starts for Mashonaland next Wednesday. He is going to look after DeBeer's Cos. properties in that country. Did I tell you he had received the Distinguished Service Order, for his bravery during the Matabeels war? It is a great honour. I am very glad & feel proud, that you came out so well in your examinations. As you say "it is encouraging". Go ahead my boy, and as you say work "systematically".

Golf Player and the Parson

KIMBERLEY CLUB,

KIMBERLEY.

November 15th 1897

My dear Raymond & Joe

It is late on Monday night & as I have left my English letters to the last moment again, I must put you off with this shabby little note. Your splendid letters of Oct 20th came on Saturday.

I am glad you stick to your Wednesday writing Raymond. Your letter is very good & you have improved in writing. Always try & write your best - don't try & write fast. You must first aquire a good style of handwriting before you try to write fast.

I am glad you licked those Isle of Wight chaps at foot ball. I hope Parker is a good boy - drop him, like a hot potato, if you find him a bad boy. Don't be led away by any one. Try rather to influence other boys for good. I am glad you are trying to do this. It is a good thing you are sometimes too busy to smoke. Don't neglect Joe. He ought to be your greatest friend. Remember there are only two of you. Take care of him & keep him from harm. Don't let him get into bad company. I am very glad you like your work, & take an interest in it. I will give your message to MacGregor. Keep up your reputation and strive not only to be one of the strongest, but the best boy in the school.

This is Often the Result of Smoking

 Kimberley Nov 1st, 1897

My Dear Raymond & Joe

last mail brought me no letters from you. I suppose the Excitement of Mother's visit to Lee-on-Solent, and your spending all your spare time with her, prevented your writing.

Mother said you were both looking well, and that you were both working hard, and both very happy.

Raymond, Mother says your eyes were not looking strong. This is often the result of smoking. Reduce your smoking, my dear boy, and give yourself every chance.