Sobraon
Port Melbourne
30 January 1888
Dear Chris,
I have been intending to write to you for some time but have been so full up with engagements besides having a good deal of more work to do here than I generally have. We are having rather a rush for it this year as we intend sailing on the 16th instead of the end of this month.
Needless to say I was awfully glad to hear of your good luck in Croydon, and only hope that the whole thing will turn out as well as it is painted)
I met a man named Cave yesterday, who gave most glowing accounts of the place. If I had my Masters Ticket, I should probably have made my way up North & tried my luck. My time is just out now, so I shall go up as soon as I get home and then see how things look in the shipping line. In any case I shall not join the P&O or any other large steam service, as I consider it a slave’s life in any of them.
I should like to get command of the old ship for one trip at least before I throw it up.
We got your telegram this morning saying you had bought those shares that we had sent the money up for. Pa has given me some so I have not sent you any money myself to invest for me as I intended doing, especially as I am taking home a number of black swans on spec, and commit all the ready cash I can lay hands on.
I suppose you know that Mary Williamson is engaged to Tom Lorimer and we shall probably hear soon that Maggie is to ???? ???? who you met last year. The ???? is a tremendous rage here at present, there are already five or six large ones and several more been built up.
1 February
I spent the evening with the Williamsons yesterday. Maggie wishes to be kindly remembered to you and wants to know when you are going to send your photos. I hope I didn’t hit a tender chord when I mentioned R???? name with hers, as probably I was wrong. I’ve been to two dances lately and am going to another at the Grimwades.
(Page 5 missing)
time.
I will write again before I leave.
With best love to old Alex and yourself
Your affectionate Brother
Archie Elmslie
HELN GRAY TRANSCRIPTION
S. “Sobraon”
Port Melbourne
Jan 30th / 88
Dear Chris,
I have been intending to write to you for some time, but have been so full up with engagements besides having a good deal of more work to do here than I generally have. We are having rather a (rush) for it this year as we intend sailing on the 16th instead of the end of this month.
Needless to say I was awfully glad to hear of your good luck in Croydon, & only hope that the whole thing will turn out as well as it is (painted). I met a man named (Cave) yesterday, who gave most glowing accounts of the place. If I had my Masters Ticket, I should probably have made my way up North & tried my luck. My time is just out now, so I shall go up as soon as I get home, & then see how things look in the shipping line. In any case I shall not join the P&O or any other large Steam Service, as I consider it a slaves life in any of them. I should like to get Command of the old ship for one trip at least before I throw it up. We got your telegram this morning saying you had bought those shares that we had sent the money up for. Pa has given me some so I have not sent you any money myself to invest for me as I intended doing, especially as I am taking home a number of Black Swans on Spec, (& commit) all the ready cash I can lay hands on. I suppose you know that Mary Williamson is engaged to Tom (Lorimer). & we shall probably hear soon that Maggie is to (….) who you met last year. The (….) is a tremendous rage here at present, there are already five or six large ones, & several more been built up.
Feb 1st I spend the evening with the Williamsons yesterday, Maggie wishes to be kindly remembered to you and wants to know when you are going to send your photos. I hope I didn’t hit a tender chord when I mentioned (R….) name with hers, as probably I was wrong. I been to two dances lately and am going to another at the (Grimwades)
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time. I will write again before I leave. With best love to old Alex and yourself
Your affect brother
Archie Elmslie