Received 12.8.1891
Answered
19 Anerley Park, S E
12 June 1891
My dear Chris
The Jelunga got to Plymouth on Saturday the 6th – I got home by rail at 8pm.Have been kept at home since by the influenza attack and bronchitis – most of our passengers were more or less ill from the same complaint. I am getting better and will I hope be quite well in a few days.
I sent you a few lines from Naples, but forgot what I said. I was rather bad there. Archie writes from Singapore 11 May and gives the same account of excessive heat as we endured. We expect him home via Marseilles about the end of this month. I have not left the house since I got home.
I send you this by first mail and will write more later. I hope Alec is all right. I don’t think a trip to Batavia would be worth the money except as a change of scene. You may see your way to let him come here by and by. I hope your partner will turn out a success.
Mater complains you only sent her one short note on your way out. You should not fail to think of those who have deserved well in their attentions to you. Captain Eldred and his wife were grieved that you neither called nor wrote to them after you got well in Sydney. You might put this straight now – his address is Consul General for Chile. I will expect to have a few lines from you.
A young woman joined at Thursday Island who called herself Thompson. She had either kept a shanty or a pub, perhaps both, at George Town, Croydon and May Town. She was flush of money and dresses, and fixed herself on a bank manager from Charleville named Ball who was susceptible. They were going off together at Plymouth but the skipper stepped in and stopped him on some pretence, and she went off to London by herself.
Hope you are getting on very well.
With love from all the household and self.
Your loving Father
Jas. A Elmslie
Mother has had a house of sickness ever since you left until now and has had a hard time of it being ill herself. All are on the mend now. If Alec is with you give him loving regards.