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Bedford
England
9 August 1900
My dear Chris
We watch your progress – Colombo on the 6th – hope everything has gone well with you. The heat must been very trying if you had anything like in proportion to your position. What we endured here the great wave of heat ceased on 1 August when a succession of severe storms set in blowing a hurricane of wind – at times levelling the crops and numberless trees, destroying the fruit crops wholesale, and causing generally an infinite amount of damage. The August bank holiday on the 6th was a shocking day – the morning was bright and fair, people went out in their thousands all over the country the barometer was at hurricane level but soon after noon a howling storm set in and prevailed all over country it rained and blew as it never did before. The damage done to your units to say nothing of the discomfort of the excursionists must have been huge. We are warned this morning of another heat coming across the Atlantic.
I have not been in town this week but will be tomorrow (Friday). Business is even more stagnant than before – so many men on holiday and no cheering news from Africa or China.
Noel left in the Oroya on the 6th if you wish to write to him – addressing to D B Spence & Co, Stock Brokers, Perth, will find him.
Reggie is putting in a month at what he calls the slaves work when he is done with this he will have a week or two recess.
We mean to go to Buxton for a fortnight then in September
10 August
It is a cold wet depressing morning and I am not going to London. Archie will no doubt tell you all of any interest in a business way.
Mr Spence has gone to Scotland for two months. Major Christie is away until the middle of September and consequently Edie is free until then.
The sea-side visitors are not having much pleasure so far. From their writing there has only been one fair day in this month – the weather being more of winter than summer. I shall be curious to know how you have had it on the way and in Sydney.
We are all very well here and will be glad to hear that you leave Brisbane in good health.
We unite in affectionate regards to Katie, Kenyon and yourself
Your affectionate Father
J A Elmslie