Bedford
25 August 1881
My dear Chris
We had your letters from Suez and Galle. We could not have written to intercept you on the way out seeing that you were carrying the mails in your ship. This will reach you in time. You will also get letters at Aden and Port Said.
We were glad to have good accounts of your health. The heat of the Red Sea in July must affect everyone more or less but its effects are soon forgotten passing quickly through as you do. I trust most sincerely that your health will keep good, it would be fatal to your future prospects to break down. You must guard your conduct so as not to do anything that will have an injurious effect on you but on the contrary take measures to strengthen yourself by careful living and avoiding smoking or drinking spirits etc.
I find you have many of my old friends at head quarters who will take an interest in your promotion and I have no doubt that if you are blessed with good health and succeed in getting favourable reports from your captain that you will go forward quickly over others who may be senior to you. I need scarce tell you that everything depends upon your own conduct and performance. Don’t think any duty too much or look upon it and in the light of hardship but do all that you are deputed to do cheerfully & with spirit. The more efficient you show yourself to be in the intelligence in executing duties of any kind the more likely you are to get picked on when openings occur. Captain Angore & Mr Kendall the sub manager here (who is an old friend of mine) will be sure to keep you in mind. Look them up when you can at home.
You have not had much time in Sydney as I heard at the P & O office you had sailed yesterday. I hope you found some good friends there.
We sail in the 22nd & there is a fair prospect of being full of passengers. I think it possible Mr Northey will get a command and Hoare will go as Chief in the Sobraon.
All goes well at home, Mama is not going to sea so you will find her at home when you return. I am rather hurried now so will end there.
With loving regards
I am, ever your affectionate Father
Jas A Elmslie