Capetown
(Monday) 30 September 1912
My dearest Dolly
I enclose a draft on Cooks for £10. Are you quite sure that this amount is sufficient because you can have more if required. Please let me know. Now the business part of the letter is disposed of lets resume the "tail" of travel.
I left Kimberley a week last Thursday at midnight & travelled down to Capetown which I reached Saturday. It was a most uninteresting journey. You see nothing but veldt stretching away for miles & miles & never even a tree to relieve the monotony of things. Occasionally you do strike a small cluster of houses but it is only rarely.
I was alone all day & just to amuse myself I shaved in the train. It is one of the most exciting pastimes you can have especially as the train jolts & bumps all over the place. I felt quite proud because I hadn’t a scratch when finished. The remainder of the time was passed in eating sleeping & reading.
On Saturday afternoon I slept & after dinner Mr Peffers(?) the proprietor of the hotel took me to the Tivoli & we saw a fairly good show. Sunday we walked along the beach & built castles etc & talked. In the afternoon I went out to the observatory to see Lunts. Dorothy was in hospital with appendicitis & other things. However she has recovered from the operation & is at home now. We went to see her & had a nice chat. After tea we had music. Their son Harry has just returned from England & he plays the violin very well. After the way my music has been neglected it was a delight to play good classical stuff again.
Monday I did not do very much as I was tired & weary so I lolled about more or less all day. At night I went out to some friends of Lunts & had more music. Tuesday I prepared my samples & wrote all my letters. Tuesday night I took Peffers to the Grand. It was a disgusting rotten show & I didn’t like it a bit. Wednesday I concluded my correspondence & went to see customers. At night I didn’t stir out as the weather was so bad. I got hold of an interesting book & retired early.
Thursday I worked hard all day but didn’t get any orders. It was hardly what I expected. At night I went with a chap I met on Monday to the Tivoli. It was a jolly good show & I enjoyed it immensely. Friday was a similar day but I was more successful & booked a few nice lines. At night I took Mr & Mrs Lunt Harry & Gerald to the Opera House to see "Peggy". When it comes to M/c don’t miss seeing it if you haven’t yet had the opportunity. We all laughed heartily as it was so funny. The music is not particularly good but the fun, provided there is a good comedian, is fast & furious. Saturday I was again busy & booked some more nice lines. In the afternoon I went out to Lunts again. Dorothy had just got home & was quite excited. She had begged hard to be allowed to get home because I was going & although she ought to have stayed another three or four days the doctor acceeded to her request. We had a lot more music as some friends came in & brought their music with them. I got home about 12-0 o’clock.
Sunday I stopped in bed as I was tired but managed to find my way to the observatory in time for dinner. After dinner Harry Gerald & I went snake hunting. They killed about a dozen & one was a huge thing about four feet in length. Of all the horrible disgusting revolting things the snake easily comes first. Fortunately, I don’t think they were poisonous but I kept away from them as they are such loathsome things.
We had a little music before tea & after tea we had a lot more. I said good bye & thanked them for their kindness to me & arrived home about 11.30.
Today I have been very busy & I shall have a big rush to catch the boat on Wednesday & as I have an hour to spare before dinner I am writing your letter first, so that you at any rate will not be left out in the cold as a great many people will.
I have seen a man this afternoon who has promised to introduce me to a Mr Swinkurn(?) who is travelling by the same boat. I believe he is a Cabinet Minister but anyway he is a big shot. I have sent Nora four feathers two are for you. If you want them curled it will only cost 6d a feather. Two are uncurled & two are curled. It was cheaper to buy them ready made as the feathers in the natural state are much more expensive here than in Port Elizabeth. There is no reason why you should not have the feathers at once & I will write Nora to that effect but you had better tell her to say that they are a gift from her (Nora) in case anyone makes awkward enquiries. What a pretty plot isn’t it. I wish to goodness I was sailing for home on Wednesday instead of Sydney. I feel awfully homesick just at the present moment but it aint any use growling about it as things can’t be altered. This will be the last letter you get from me for about four weeks & in case you don’t know the Australian mail leaves Friday morning & arrives Saturday morning. I am due in Sydney about the 27th Oct possibly a day or two before but I have asked Nora to tell you when I arrive. Are you sure sweetheart I can not help you further. For that one reason, in addition to all the others, I would like to be home.
My total yardage is 502,000 yards & value approximately £6,500. I feel more than satisfied on the results of my first trip but I can do three times as much if I came out in Oct/Nov.
I bought a camera today & hope to have some good results from it. I don’t understand the Kodaks but I suppose I shall learn by experience & expense. Now I am going to dine & will add more tomorrow when your eagerly awaited letter comes to hand.
Your letter was received this morning but it did not come to hand till after I had received my other letters consequently I thought at first there was no letter & the language I used was not fit for the drawing room. Now I have a small bone to pick with you. You say you anxiously await my letters. Then you can understand to a certain degree how eagerly I wait your letters. Now this morning I only received three small tiny sheets. Really Dolly I am surprised at you. No matter how busy I am I can always find time to write you a decent letter no matter what else is missed & many times my home letter has been cut short. I am not annoyed but rather pained – just a little. However that’s done with now.
I enclose you a blank cheque in case the draft is not sufficient for your needs. Don’t hesitate to use it. You might ask Segalla at 101 Princes St to cable me the word "Ramificard" on the next cable & then I shall know you have received the draft. I find I am due about the 24th & not the 27th so please let him know by the 22nd latest.
Tonight I have packed up or rather a nigger has done it fore me as I am so busy.
Now I must close so for four weeks I say goodbye. Please take care of yourself & get everything straight as soon as you can dearest.
With my fondest love sweetheart & loads of kisses
Yours for all time
Harry
Your mothers letter has not yet come to hand but I will find your uncle alright.