19 Anerley Park
London S E
6 July 1888
My Dear Chris,
Your’s and Alec’s letters of 11 May came on the 4th – both deficient in postage.
I met Mr Brandon by appointment on the 3rd at Rawson’s and we lunched together. He has since gone to water to look into Morgan and Welch gold mine. I did not get much chance of talking with him, but he told me all that was of importance. I will see and have a long talk with him when he returns from Wales – the London public are not likely to be seduced into investing in more Queensland mines just at present as those floated some time since have not succeeded, but are at a great discount if this is true. Brandon has brought with him ???? a very ????. Still something may be done, but I think the wisest course both for yourself and me is to sell out when you can get a good profit – a bird in the hand etc. Still if the mines show signs of paying dividends without the chance of forming them into a company we would be induced to hold on, of course.
Speaking generally, so far as my investment is concerned, treat it as you would your own. I know you will do your best to make it bear some fruit for me, but as I am coming out in the ship again and will be in Melbourne by the middle of December, should you sell out don’t send the money here – I would rather have it in Melbourne. I shall bring a credit with me for a couple of thousand – it may be useful in some way.
I am obliged to stick to the ship much against my will. D & M would not let Northey stay at home, so that they force my hand. Also I find my expenses still so great I cannot afford to give up any good income until a fortune descends upon me from some unforeseen quarter.
Archie will come with me as Chief again. He has a great repugnance to enter any of the Steam Services and the prospects of advancement are so remote and when obtained so apt to slip away by some mischance. Far better for him if he keeps at sea to get a steamer in some reputable service to knock about with – there is more freedom and more chance of getting a little money together. I tell him the best plan is a wife with plenty of money.
I am glad Alec is going to join you again although he may not be of much use for some time. It is just such training in writing and book keeping that he wants. Perhaps after a time he may see some way of striking out in a line for himself – mining engineering, assaying or something of a mechanical nature. He has some genius but precious little energy. He ought to secure papers showing his service with Clayton & Wragge. It may come in useful to him later on. I will get a paper from Tompsitt in Melbourne for the ten months he was there. I am writing a few lines to him but you urge him to do this. He has put in five years to pass in pharmacy.
I am glad to know both you and he keep so well. You will miss the Chinese gardeners much and rather a stupid thing to expel the Chinamen they might have been kept without resorting to extremes. What should we think of the Chinese Government if they expelled Englishmen from Chinese territory which they would be justified in doing?
I will continue to write about every fortnight while at home.
Your loving Father
Jas A Elmslie
Say if you want the Melbourne papers continued. Also say if you get the Weekly Times always.