Received 29.2.92
Answered 15.3.92
Lancing
15 January 1892
My dear Chris
Enclosed are the ???? of ???? by “????”.
The weather has been severe lately and influenza so prevalent. I have gone to London since the ???? of ???? and have not seen your last letter to Balchin ???? suppose they do not contain anything than your latest to myself including the ???? payment the drafts taken up in your account amounting to ₤312 as you will find in response ????
???? ship came up to dock yesterday we expect him] down here this afternoon he appears ???? well. ???? he keeps in the same service he will most probably be placed chief in one of the new steamers building at Glasgow. ???? he will in any case get a good long ????.
You will learn by cable today of the death of the Prince of Wales’ eldest son, to the great grief of the nation. I send you papers by this mail ???? particulars. He caught a chill at Prince Hol’s funeral and for three days after was out all day shooting, feeling ill, inflammation of his lung set in and made rapid progress. His attack was a similar one to that you had at Bedford before ???? found the P. & O. Coy. and if he had laid up in its first appearnce he would have pulled through easily. It is a sad case for his marriage was fixed for 27 February.
Of course the Queen & Prince & Princess of Wales have the sympathies of all the world showered upon them. Posted today’s Standard and Weekly Times with the full account.
You will see that Cardinal Manning died the same morning as the Prince -influenza (so-called) ???? away a great number of elderly people. In the Standard of yesterday the death list contained ???? between the ages of 71 and 85, and today’s paper about a ???? I ???? but have not counted.
We are all keeping well here. The boys went to Brighton Grammar School yesterday for the first time. It is good and reasonable.
I have Alec’s letter of 15 November – I thought from what he previously said that he was building a mansion but the dimensions of his house now given would scarce give room for a but and a bin as the Scots have it.
I hope business is prospering and that you are not ???? working your hair but take business and pleasure ???? ????. I wish you could hit of a big bonanza and clear out as Mills of Charters Towers has done. Do you know him? He was a passenger in John me.
I have had a letter from Archie at Poplar. He is coming tomorrow. He is all right.
Love from the household.
Your affectionate Father
Jas. A. Elmslie