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Bedford
17 July 1885
My dear Chris,
Just a few lines to say we are all well and nothing startling to relate as news.
Mater is busy preparing to send Jean to Germany. May and Mary to be left here with a lady. Alec to come out to you, and generally preparing herself and the youngsters for the voyage. Edie has not found a home yet.
I have offered our house to let or all but have not found a tenant yet. Things are not very stirring, people still look upon the Afghanistan business as being likely to lead to war. This and the uncertainty of what the new parliament may be like in November stagnates everything.
I hope to be able to give you money when I come out and trust you may find a profitable investment for it. Look after your health well and don’t live too poorly and, if you go to Port Moresby it will behove you to be still more careful.
I have bought a smaller house to live in when we get rid of the present one. Meantime let the small one until we return.
Archie is engaged chiefly playing tennis. He is very well. Alec has grown considerably and improved otherwise. I feel sure he will do some good for himself when once started. Try and provide some sort of a place for him and when he is with you wake him up a little. He has great mechanical genius which he may find opportunities of developing in the New Country.
I am looking forward to seeing Rawson as you said in your last letter. He was coming as one of a deputation.
Meantime the sugar industry will improve a little I hope as the price has increased a good deal lately.
Your Uncle is staying here just now. The estates in Ceylon that Julia and Nell and Guss get their income from are to be sold to pay off the mortgages, so there will be no more income for them. Guss was offered £30 a year to attend to some respectable kind of work, but she refused it. Such is the family’s silly pride – they all think it infra dig to make their own living. What would they do if Robert died?
Mackwood has failed in the business he was engaged in his doing nothing. Bisset has a mere pittance for commanding a steamer when he never has a moment to himself. He has not been in London since last August. I had to lend him money and keep him going but don’t expect to see it again.
Mater desires her love to you.
Your loving Father
Jas A Elmslie
I will send you the Saturday Review after this
For C T Elmslie. Townsville, Queensland