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4 Brick Court Temple EC
Jan: 31: 1900
My dear old Mother
Very many thanks for the cakes and chocolates. I shan't require to lay anything in for my tea-party tomorrow. Also thanks for your and Anna's letters. I wish you would send me a card about the mysterious communication enclosed in the Westminster I sent you.
I have been very quiet and busy this week. In the office they have turned me on to an exceedingly complicated financial case which
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has been going on for 12 years. It is all about certain points in French law, and the final trial comes off on Monday. After three days labour I think I have mastered it, and written a long analysis. It is just as well, for I find our junior counsel, whom I have to instruct, does not understand it. Sir Edward Clarke is our chief counsel & we are giving him a fee of 300 guineas. But before he has done with it I think it will be well-earned money.
I am busy reviewing a book on Tactics for the Spectator and also a magnificent book, Colonel Durand's Making of a Frontier – all about Cashmere. Last night when I was settling down to law, a message arrived from the Spectator asking me for an article on a special subject, so I had to sit down and right [write] it straight off. This is
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journalism at last!
I am delighted to hear about [illegible] & shall write & congratulate him if I remember. Tell Father that I will wait till I get Lang's History of Scotland & send it & Wallace down together. To-day I dropped in to the Middle Temple hall to lunch, and there I found a splendid little barrister whom I met at Achnacloich. We talked shooting shop for the whole meal.
I am dining with the Gathorne-Hardys on Friday. My next letter to you shall be written from my well-beloved Vincent's. I heard from Boulter this morning. He wants me to congratulate Willie. I think there must be madness abroad, for I had a letter this morning from Dr
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Donald Macleod – he is ill in bed, poor man – congratulating me on my "academic success". I suppose he is mixing me up with Willie.
There is a wonderful article in the February Blackwood, called 'Musings without Method' - I think the most brilliant magazine article I have ever read. Ask Anna if she has read Parson Kelly? by A Lang & Mason. It is extraordinarily good.
I am afraid I have no more news.
With love to all & many thanks
Your affectionate son
John
