1 The Grand Hotel
2 Alassio
3 Riviera
4 Italy
5 April 3 / 97
6
7 Dear old Ed
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9 It was a good thing seeing your face in London. We’ve been away to
10Rome & Naples & Amalfi but have had to come back here because ^I was^
11ill all the time. Its was wonderful seeing Visuvius. About the most
12impressive thing I’ve ever seen was looking down the crater: it was
13rather active & clouds of smoke & stones going up: & deep down the
14internal artillery. It’s very beautiful & peaceful here; I came here
15thinking I should hardly ever get better & now after only a week I’m
16already wonderfully fit, though I can’t work yet. I am so anxious to
17get my next two articles done because in a few months the fate of
18Africa may be decided, they may have a big war & Rhodes be put back in
19his full power to crush black & white alike. I wonder if you’ve ever
20felt you had anything to say on this matter yet??
21
22 There’s a beautiful blue sea here today, & I think the rain is at
23last over; but oh it isn’t the African sea & sky. I wish so much
24that when we go back to Africa next year you could come too. I’d
25like you so much to write a book on South Africa. You would like our
26sunshine & our niggers.
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28 Drop me a line when the spirit moves you. I had a nice letter from
29Isabella Ford the other day. She writes she will come & see us when we
30return to London. I hope the spring hasn’t been too cold for you in
31the north dear old man. The Lord hath yet reserved to himself a
32certain handful on the earth, & that hand-full shall become a million.
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34 Good bye. Cron sends much love.
35 Olive
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37 Love to George & Lucy
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39 ^We shall probably remain here for four or six weeks^
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