Place Viger Hotel
Montreal
(Monday) 20 October 1913
My dearest girlie
I hope you don’t mind getting another letter so soon after the last, but the truth is I don’t know how I shall be fixed for time in the latter part of the week, so to avoid you being over a week without one I am improving the shining hour.
Not that it is shining. On the contrary it is raining like fury & I am afraid there will be no cessation today. I feel very sorry as it is a public holiday & nearly everyone goes away for the week-end but with the rotten weather they have stayed at home & really today it is not fit for a dog to go out.
Seeing that I gave you all the news up to Friday evening I have very little else to add but Saturday & Sunday were both interesting days.
On Saturday – first of all "doos oo"? I doos more than a bit – Well on Saturday I called round for Bird & brought him on here for lunch.
After lunch altho’ it was raining rather heavily we set off for a walk. We took the tram quite a distance to the foot of the mountain & then commenced our walk. The rain had ceased & altho’ it was rather heavy & moist we did not mind.
What a climb we had! We took a short cut & consequently it was much steeper than if we had taken the carriage road. However in due course we arrived at the top & gazed on the scene below.
If it had been a clear day we could have seen for miles & miles but it was awfully hazy, yet we could see quite a long distance. The town, or I should say city, of Montreal lay beneath us & it did look a huge size. Then the river with all the shipping was to be seen & on the other side of the bank the various villages could be made out. Really it was a fine sight & we gazed at it for half an hour or longer. We could see the river right away in the distance & see all the twistings & turnings it takes. Then we went to the other side of the mountain & saw quite different scenery. This also was very interesting. We came down from the top by the elevator & walked into the city where we took the car to Birds place.
I met a man named Shaw there who is a cousin of Mrs Bird. More of him anon. We had tea & then a lot of music. Both Bird & his wife sing very well & Shaw is more than passing fair. You can imagine I rather enjoyed myself. I was quite sorry when it was time to leave but as Shaw had to come down to town I had company. In the car we got rather friendly & I asked him various questions. It turns out he comes from Rochdale & was one of my cousins bosom chums. Isn’t it strange how one meets people in all parts of the world who know someone you know. There was nothing else for it but to bring him along to the hotel & we went up to my room & talked till 1.30 am. He knows George Kemp very well having played cricket with him for years & also worked on dance committees with him on many occasions. M’yes I learnt many things.
Sunday morning I had a late breakfast & had my hair cut & read the paper. It was a glorious day but very cold. Shaw came along & had lunch with me. We went out in the afternoon to a place called Lachine. It is about ten miles out of Montreal & is a sort of summer playground. It is on the banks of the river but really one would think of it – the river I mean – is a huge lake. People have their motor launches all round about the place but they are nearly all stored away now for the winter. After looking round a bit we went a long walk right along the banks & I did enjoy it. The scenery is passable but is not anything to rave about. Of course the place is hardly civilised yet, & one can still see traces of the olden days, before the hand of man came along, & ruthlessly cut down trees & built modern villas.
After a long walk we came back by car & got into town about 6-0 o’clock. I asked Shaw to dine with me & after a long dinner we said goodbye as he had another appointment. I read the Guardian & Westminster Gazette & went to bed in good time.
Today I got up late & nearly missed breakfast & read the morning paper. Now after lunch I am writing a few letters & then am going to have a sleep. Tonight I am going out to Howards place to dine & am looking forward to a pleasant evening.
Thanks for your letter received on Saturday morning. I was delighted at receiving such a nice long one from you & it made my heart rejoice & feel as if all the worlds was bright & gay again. Do you think the majority of the people understood Bobbie Barnes’ German songs. I wonder when he will learn sense. Thanks for Leslie’s regards. Will you please reciprocate for me. It is rather funny you both consoling one another. I don’t think the piano for a wedding present will come off but you might tell him the motor will be acceptable.
I am more than delighted that mother has realised things. I don’t think she thought we were both in earnest & it is probable she will try & think of a plan to suit all parties. I am amused at her settling down to make your trousseau. I can see Hunter of Ashtons asking many questions – in addition to those he has already asked.
I am rather glad that Salford did not elect anyone in my place as I should feel uncomfortable in turning anyone out when I get home.
Surely dearie you should not be anxious about Miss Marshall coming to look things up. Everything is bound to be right if you had a finger in the pie. I am sending Mrs Boraston(?) a card this mail. I think she had more than an idea when we took her out the other evening. Don’t you.
Incidentally you might tell Mr Tomlinson that Jaffés do stock handkerchiefs & next time you had better have one of theirs when you go to a distressing play.
Moss used to make all Billy Calvert’s clothes & I think he is quite good.
I have been thinking over our holiday at Port Erin a great deal lately. Why it should intrude on my thoughts at every moment of the day I don’t know but I am sure it was the most glorious holiday of my life. Possibly it is because I am so far away from everyone & cannot be among the people I love & willy nilly my thoughts revert to all the good times I have had.
There aint nuffink else to add so will shut up. With all my dearest love sweetheart & bags of kisses.
Yours for all time
Harry