Part 01: G. W. Rusden letters, 1846-1900

(Answered 11th July)

30th April 1900 Cotmandene South Yarra Melbourne

My dear Mrs Onslow

Your kind and noble letter of the 18th April has been safe in my pocket since its arrival, and has been perused with admiration by me several times. You are more than Spartan, as you have a higher inspiration than was the heritage of the brave old Greeks. "Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift" as St. Paul told the Corinthians. Until your letter came I did not know of Willie's sudden plunge into warriordome.

These rapid changes almost take away the breath of an

octogenarian like myself whose supply of breath is scant.

What a rush of letters you will have from the front.

Singular, is it not? that 150 years ago so many Macarthurs fought against the Crown at Culloden and that now so many of the descendants of one of them are among the foremost in fighting for it. I don't know in what capacity James is enrolled, but I suppose he is in a prominent position, and do not doubt that he will fill it with distinction.

So we shall have at Australian hearths familiar names to talk of as the soldiers of Agincourt were talked of

in old England. You mention my loss of my American friend Phelps. It is irreparable. So wise, so true, so genial, so gentle and yet so firm a friend it would be hard to find. His last letter to me was written in the end of October (ten pages of note paper) and I answered it in the beginning of January, and was expecting a reply when the heartless telegram to England flashed his loss to his friends. The last letter I received from him ended thus - "And pray let me hear from you soon. As ever yours E J Phelps."

Unless my letter was lost on the way it must have reached him for I wrote on the 1st January

Essington King spent an eve[ning] with me last week, look[ing] well. His youngest son goes away with our Imper[ial] Contingent, a fine look[ing] fellow and a favorite with all who know him.

The cheery frank way in which he responded to my last words (not to fail to w[rite] constantly to his sisters) would have been pleasant for you to hear. With kindest regards to all at Camden and kindest thoughts of the absentees

Yours ever sincerely G W Rusden

Cotmandene South Yarra Melbourne

10 August 1900

My dear Mrs Onslow,

I have left your kind letter of 11th July too long unanswered, and can only plead that a prostrating attack of lumbago added to my rheumatico gouties &c &c ailments has almost made writing impossible. Yesterday however the rubber who used to iron me with a smoothing iron got his congé, and your letter shall reproach me no more.

It was greatly kind of you to preface your letter with the telegram of "Jack walking into the office quite well." I gave faint but hearty three cheers for him and all of you when I read that. I agree with you that Jack is not the man to quit the plough while he can hold the handle