2110-1-10-11

The Transvaal Land Settlement Board,

Pretoria, June: 6 1902

My dearest Mother

Another hasty missive. I had a large budget of letters from home on Saturday – from Anna, Uncle Willie, John Jameson, Duncan Warrand etc. John Jameson says that old Bob Smith, a drucken fisherman at Kirkcudbright, whom I once took to Loch Dee with me, was asking after me,

and when he was informed that I had gone to S. Africa, he exclaimed "God help the Bowers."

On Sunday we had a great Military Thanksgiving Service, when a lot of V.C.s were presented. Lord K. did it magnificently, and the whole thing was very impressive. They had a procession with a banner on

which a picture of the Virgin Mary was embroidered. I overheard a Highland sergeant giving vent to deep indignation at "thae rags o' Popery".

Andy Macculloch, John Jameson's elder brother, is here, and I dined with him last night. I have a sair life just now, and my secretary has to come up every night after dinner for 2 - hours to my house. The strain will pass, but it

is pretty severe just now.

In another 10 days you lucky people will sail. I hope you will have a very good voyage. I am very well, for all my work.

With much love

Your affectionate son

John