And dancing every night! Mother tells me you and Joe sing duets

Kimberley Club,

Kimberley.

Jan 30th 1899

My dear Raymond and Joe

I received your undated letters from bournemouth on Thursday. This sort of thing won't do master Raymond — taking American girls for long Bicycle roads, round Bournemouth. Was this particular American girl one of the "doocid pretty" ones — or did she only come in amongst the ruck of ordinary pretty girls?

Don't you go flirting with any of those "doocid fine Girls" you write about

Kimberley Club,

Kimberley.

January 23, 1899

My dear Raymond & Joe

Your letters from Bournemouth (both undated) came on Saturday. Those photographs of yours, Raymond, are capital. I like the football one the best. What a splendid big strong chap you are. God has blessed you my dear boy with great physical gifts — strength too. See that you use them properly and take care that you do nothing to spoil these gifts God has given you. I am glad you are enjoying yourself at Bournemouth. You young rascal! don't you go flirting with any of those "doocid fine Girls" you write about.

Sweating is no word for the way the moisture is oozing out of me

Kimberley Club,

Kimberley.

January 16th 1899

My dear Raymond and Joe

I have not got my glasses with me tonight; so I cannot see what I am writing. Under these circumstances I do not feel equal to writing each of you a separate letter.

The night is awful and close. A thunderstorm is hovering near and a slight rain falling. Sweating is no word for the way the moisture is oozing out of me.

Tom brought a lady cat who Kittened in the wood house

Kimberley Club,

Kimberley.

January 9th 1899

My dear Joe

Last mail was also barren as far as a letter from you was concerned; but I suppose something got in the way and prevented you from writing. I do hope you will have a pleasant holiday.

By the bye before I forget it tell Mother to make no mistake about the penny postage to the Cape. The Cape is not in it and letters will cost two pence halfpenny as before. I suppose some day before long we shall participate in the advantages of the imperial penny postage. But at present something blocks the way. I believe it is the postal contract with the Donald Currie and Union line of steamers.

Would you like a Zulu shield, some bangles and some chowries?

Kimberley Club,

Kimberley.

January 9th 1899

My dear Raymond

Last mail brought me no letter from you. Something must have prevented you from writing. Mother told me you were about to play some terrific football match against the Trojans of Portsmouth. I hope you went through the match without any hurt. I can't say I like football; but at the same time I suppose boys ought to play it.

Mosquitos too are the very devil. They are worse than ever I have known them.

Kimberley Club,

Kimberley.

January 1st 1899

My dear little Mary, Raymond and Joe.

The old year has gone and today is the beginning of a new one. I wish you all very many happy New Years; and may this coming new year be the beginning of a succession of Happy Years for you all.

Yesterday evening I went with the Mortons to Beaconsfield and spent the evening at Dr. and Mrs Stansby's. We had dinner there and then remained to see the old year out and the new year come in. Just before twelve I had to go out with food and drink in my hand; and when midnight tolled I knocked at the front door and entered the house. I then walked right through followed by everyone; out of the back door and round to the front again. This is an old scotch ceremony which is supposed to bring luck. We then wished each other a Happy New Year and drank each other's healths in claret cup. Altogether it was a pleasant evening. Part of the time the Revd. Mr. Woodman was there, but he went early because he had to conduct a service at the church which commenced at half past eleven and finished at five minutes past twelve. Then in the cool early morning under the twinkling stars we drove back to Kimberley and at half past one I got to bed.