"Great native question, we shall reap as we have sown" Read the full letter

The Lighter Side

By all accounts, Olive Schreiner was a lively, amusing and enthralling person, as well as being very kind, something mentioned in many of the letters exchanged between friends and family members. Her letters frequently provide hints about this, containing ironic, funny, dry, witty, amused, wry comments and asides - and on occasion well-developed stories in this vein as well. She sometimes also sends herself up in amusing ways. Falling asleep in someone’s bedroom while taking her coat off and only waking the next morning, poking fun of the po-faced Karl Pearson, her meerkats attacking a serious and overweight Dutch Reform Church clergyman, threatening death to a close friend who might not eat the macaroni cheese she'd made for her, a parrot who died of joy on hearing Spanish and many more such episodes were written to amuse and bring a smile or laugh, including when the addressee was going through bad times and Schreiner was trying to comfort and entertain them. Enjoy!

 

To: William Philip ('Will', 'WP') Schreiner, 20 October 1875: Olive Schreiner: Will Schreiner 97.12.3.6.24
Ganna Hoek, Oct 20th 1875, My dear old Will!, The Fouches are going into Cradock to have their baby baptised & I must tak...
[Lines 38-44, the devil active when women came into existence]
To: William Philip ('Will') Schreiner, 3 June 1884: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box1/Fold1/1884/1
32 Fitzroy St, June 3rd 1884, Dear old Will,, Thank you for your letter. I am much aggrieved. I hear that at some not absolut...
[Lines 6-12, a small Schreiner due, I not duly informed!]
To: Havelock Ellis, 25 October 1884: HRC/CAT/OS/2b-xvi
Sat Night , My brother did not come today. I walked back with Wilfred to the the Hastings part of the town, & bought him ...
[Lines 12-13 cooked more dinners & made more bread than Louie]
To: Havelock Ellis, 17 September 1885: HRC/UNCAT/OS-72
Tuesday 1.30. , Oh my baby isn’t coming, & I put on my clean blue dress & did my hair. I got some rumpsteak &...
[Lines 3-7, steak, watermelon, won't put on clean dress & do hair]
To: Havelock Ellis, 8 April 1886: HRC/CAT/OS/4a-ix
Kilburn, Wednesday night , W I have not been out today so couldn’t post-letter. Am working well so don’t want to ...
[Lines 4-6, damned fine horse nothing to it!]
To: Karl Pearson, 16 June 1886: Karl Pearson 840/4/2/81-87
The Convent, Wednesday, Thank you for the paper. I send it with this. What I feel is that sometimes you are putting too great...
[Lines 59-68, Mrs Cash's dinner party]
To: Karl Pearson, 23 June 1886: Karl Pearson 840/4/2/90-91
Sunday night , My dear Mr Pearson , I have spent today not in telling stories to children, but with an older child, a prostit...
[Lines 48-70, K.P. harrumphs to himself]
To: Karl Pearson, 10 July 1886: Karl Pearson 840/4/3/22-26
The Convent, Friday night, , I am writing to ask you a favour. When I have the first printed proof sheets of my book complet...
[Lines 187-192, I, K.P., sworn enemy of emotions!]
To: T. Fisher Unwin, 23 August 1888: HRC/OliveSchreinerUncatLetters/OS-TFisherUnwin/9
Roseneath, Harpenden, Herts, Aug 23 / 88, Dear Mr Unwin, Thanks, I have got the paper, but not the promised novel. The notice...
[Lines 15-18, entirely revise my opinion of publishers!!!]
To: Edward Carpenter, 17 December 1888: Edward Carpenter 359/30
Mentone, Sunday, Dear Ed’ard , Yes it’s very beautiful here. I went for a walk this afternoon to that other far p...
[Lines 76-79, sandals & teapot]
To: Frances ('Fan') Schreiner nee Reitz, November 1889: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box1/Fold1/1889/7
Darling Fan, Thank you for all your great goodness to me, dear. You must come & see me in the Karroo, & I’ll gi...
[Lines 6-7, I can't write as beautifully as usual]
To: Havelock Ellis, 13 May 1890: HRC/CAT/OS/4b-xii
Matjesfontein , May 13 / 90 , I got your journal letter & liked it. Did Symons have to pay on the post card I sent him?, ...
[Lines 21-28, Dreams, Mother didn't know what it was about!]
To: Havelock Ellis, 30 August 1890: HRC/UNCAT/OS-136
Matjesfontein , Aug 30 / 90 , My Havelock , I’m glad you are having such a good time down at that country place. I hope...
[Lines 7-9, 49-51, sore little good you do their bodies!! You will see in the long run]
To: Frances (‘Fan’) Schreiner nee Reitz, 1891: W.P. Schreiner BC112/B31/4
Matjesfontein , Sunday night, My darling Fanny, Now you are settled in your new home & I want to know all about it & ...
[Lines 6-17, you and Will, the worthless one]
To: William Philip ('Will') Schreiner, 5 January 1891: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box1/Fold1/1891/2
Monday , My dear Will, I’m very anxious to know how our little boy, the tiny one, gets on, & his mother. Drop a lin...
[Lines 9-17, 23-24, save all my letters, get 2/6 for them when I die]
To: William Philip ('Will') Schreiner, May 1891: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box1/Fold1/1891/10
Dear Will If you come please if not too much trouble bring up the box I asked you left with paper & a couple of books I l...
[Lines 6-12, small & more small]
To: Mary Sauer nee Cloete, July 1891: Olive Schreiner: Mary Sauer MSC 26/2.11.32
Darling Mary,, Did I make you sorry last night teasing you so! I am so "cussed" some times & must tease people, & yes...
[Lines 3-17, 25, you're not vain but I have to tease somebody, nasty Olive, Mr Sauer's pocket]
To: William Philip ('Will') Schreiner, September 1891: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box1/Fold1/1891/11
Matjesfontein, Sunday , Dear Boy,, I haven’t a new tale you can have but if you like to reprint little story from New C...
[Lines 23-31, burn myself]
To: Frances ('Fan') Schreiner nee Reitz, 24 September 1892: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box1/Fold1/1892/13
Matjesfontein, Darling old Fan, Thanks for parcel. Tell ?Harmony the chutney is lovely. I sent a box this morning with some f...
[Lines 32-34, love people better when sad, Will will be Sir W- when he gets back!!!]
To: William Philip ('Will') Schreiner, 9 October 1892: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box1/Fold1/1892/15
Matjesfontein, Sunday , Oct 9 / 92, Dear Boy,, I’m writing on the chance of catching you in England. I was so glad of y...
[Lines 9-12, laughter at photo of Olly - its splendid]
To: Frances (‘Fan’) Schreiner nee Reitz, 26 October 1892: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box1/Fold1/1892/17
Darling Fan, Would you do me a great favour & send down at once to Mrs Frazer top of Plein Street the blue stuff & gr...
[Lines 23-23, send dress or will cause scandal going out in nightgown]
To: Frances (‘Fan’) Schreiner nee Reitz, 1894: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box 12/Fold1/Undated/15
Dear Fan , As you won’t come to see me I must come to see you: If I die the sin is on your head!!! Will it be convenien...
[Lines 3-4, you won't come to me, I'll come to you, if I die sin on your head]
To: Mary Sauer nee Cloete, 2 April 1896: Olive Schreiner: Mary Sauer MSC 26/2.11.100
The Homestead, Mar April 2 / 96, Thursday night nine o'clock , Darling , Your letter came late this evening, & at first I...
[Lines 33-37, washing pots, couldn't shake hands with Innes till I washed hands]
To: T. Fisher Unwin, 13 April 1896: Cobden Papers: T. Fisher Unwin 981/2
The Homestead, April 13 / 96., Dear Mr Unwin, I had the surprise yesterday of receiving a great parcel of letters & books...
[Lines 44-48 Jane's father a politician, not much]
To: Betty Molteno, May 1896: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box1/Fold3/1896/14
Friday morning , Thank you for your letter. Oh yes, I am very regular with the meals, & cook very well!!!! Dr To day we a...
[Lines 3-8, cook very well]
To: Betty Molteno, 5 August 1896: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box1/Fold3/1896/22
Wednesday – 5th 1896, My dear Friend, Thank you much for your letter. I have not written because I’ve been ill. W...
[Lines 9-13, Kowie, no need for clothes, my idea of bliss!]
To: Frances (‘Fan’) Schreiner nee Reitz, 5 September 1896: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box 12/Fold1/Undated/8
[page/s missing], 2, Give her much love when you write., The childrens photos have not come. I hope you didn’t give the...
[Lines 18-21, have bicycle, perhaps we'll cycle to Cape Town]
To: Betty Molteno, December 1896: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box 12/Fold1/Undated/3
[page/s missing], but I suppose you will spend Xmas in Cape Town. I do hope there won’t be very many people on the Dunv...
[Lines 5-10, learning to ride a bicycle]
To: Jessie Rose Innes nee Dods Pringle, 1 December 1896: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box1/Fold3/1896/34
The Homestead , Dec 1st 1896, Dear Jessie, How do you get off your bike?? That’s the great question in life to me now. ...
[Lines 6-15, bicycle mad at present]
To: Harry Gie, 6 January 1897: Olive Schreiner: Miscellaneous: Harry Gie MSB 834/1.3.1
Wednesday morning, Dear Harry Gie,, You will think I & my dog are the greatest bores you ever knew., But would you give t...
[Line 5, I & my dog greatest bores]
To: William Philip ('Will') Schreiner, 15 March 1897: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box1/Fold4/1897/5
Address: Poste Restante, Amalfi, ------------------------------, Rome, March 15 / 97, Dear Laddie, Ellis was in town staying ...
[Lines 39-50, Rhodes cautious near edge of Coliseum ]
To: Mary Sauer nee Cloete, 9 January 1898: Olive Schreiner: Mary Sauer MSC 26/2.11.117
The Homestead, Jan 9 / 97, I was do glad to get your letter card my darling, & also a letter from Mrs Innes telling me ho...
[Lines 9-12, Tell Mr Sauer Peter will follow in path father forsook]
To: Frances ('Fan') Schreiner nee Reitz, 22 June 1898: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box1/Fold5/1898/12
I am so afraid that even if the vote of no confidence is carried those evil serpents will manage to keep in. No sense of sham...
[Lines 13-15, here's a fine signature for your friend]
To: Frances ('Fan') Schreiner nee Reitz, 29 June 1898: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box1/Fold3/1896/17
The Homestead, June 29 / 98 , Dear Fan, I’m very glad to hear you’ve made such a good arrangement about the chil...
[Lines 39-42, making a baby of dog, asleep on armchair wrapped in rug]
To: Frances ('Fan') Schreiner nee Reitz, April 1900: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box2/Fold3/1900/23
My dear Fan, I send you Cron’s letter; there’s not much of interest in it this week. One doesn’t feel able ...
[Lines 6-13, commercial asset Rhodes, I'm anything but good]
To: Robert Franklin ('Bob') Muirhead, September 1900: MacFarlane-Muirhead/17
Hanover, Friday, My dear Bob, “Is there spirits about!” Yesterday for the first time for eleven or more months I ...
[Lines 15-26, Curious shape of Ruth's head]
To: Hudson Findlay, 10 October 1900: Findlay Family A1199/B Documents: Box 7/4
Hanover 10 / 00, Dear Hudson, Thank you very much for your letter I enclose the one you sent signed. I did not write before a...
[Lines 29-33, when I'm a blooming millionaire]
To: Alice Greene, 14 November 1901: GFP/OS-AG/5
Hanover, Nov 14 / 01, Darling Friend, I was glad to see your handwriting again. I must be delightful having all those nice ch...
[Lines 9-12, Selling house in Kimberley; pay off debts and die with good conscience]
To: Alice Greene, 12 December 1901: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box2/Fold4/1901/60
Hanover Dec= 12 / 01, Dear Friend, Thanks for your letter: all is going well with us. The cheque reached me all right. I wrot...
[Lines 10-16, Neta's pups, Neta rushing into bedroom, not forgetting you]
To: Daniel Cornelis Boonzaier, 1902: Olive Schreiner: Mr Boonzaier 87.17/1/Boon/1
Dear Mr Boonzier, I didn't make myself clear. I should really feel it an honour to be sketched by you; but I don't care to ha...
[Lines 12-14, hopes Boonzaier will give women's cause a painting]
To: Betty Molteno, 13 February 1902: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box3/Fold1/1902/6
Thursday, Dear Friend, I received your envelope with the cheque all right, & also your letter this morning. Letter writin...
[Lines 14-18, got a meerkat, quite an animal family now]
To: Anna Purcell nee Cambier Faure, 29 March 1902: Olive Schreiner: Anna Purcell MSC 26/2.9.1
[page/s missing], 2, in I find him pocking about the room with a candle; I asked him what he was looking for. He said he was ...
[Lines 4-11, living in room with snake, put your slippers on]
To: Rebecca Schreiner nee Lyndall, April 1902: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box3/Fold1/1902/9
Thursday, My darling Mothie, I was so glad to get your card today, only sorry there was no news of Elberty. I am very anxious...
[Lines 20-27, meerkats, Belzibub, vulgar 'Arriet, London slavie]
To: Frances (‘Fan’) Schreiner nee Reitz, 2 May 1902: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box3/Fold1/1902/11
Hanover , May 2nd 1902, Dear Fan, I haven’t heard any news of you since the 24th of March when you wrote me birth-day l...
[Lines 10-15, party of ten]
To: Rebecca Schreiner nee Lyndall, 30 September 1902: Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/52
Hanover, Sep 30 / 02, My own darling little Mother, We are in our nice little house. C It is evening, about 9 o’clock. ...
[Lines 6-18, 'Arriet knocking over milk bottles]
To: Frances (‘Fan’) Schreiner nee Reitz, 2 April 1903: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box3/Fold2/1903/6
Hanover, April 2nd 1903, Dear Fan, I was so glad of a word from you again. I am so often thinking of you., Our old landlady h...
[Lines 33-35, the wandering Jew (otherwise known as Olive)]
To: S.C. (‘Cron’) Cronwright-Schreiner, 4 July 1903: NLSAOlive Schreiner: EL to C-S MSC 26/2.16/87
[page/s missing], …Miss Molteno & Miss Greene went out for a long walks this morning. When they came back & cam...
[Meerkat joy, the return of 'Arriet, the joy of Tommie & Emmie]
To: Betty Molteno, 4 October 1903: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box3/Fold2/1903/21
Hanover, Oct 4 / 03, My darling Friend, Thank you for your card. I have got such wonderful photographs of my little mother so...
[Lines 35-41, little meerkats running about]
To: Betty Molteno, 5 October 1903: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box3/Fold2/1903/24
Hanover, Oct 5th 1903, Dear Friend, I haven’t written because for ten days I was unfit. I’m better again since Mo...
[Lines 18-38, all about the meerkats & dog]
To: Henrietta (‘Ettie’) Schreiner m. Stakesby Lewis (1891), 8 October 1903: Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/67
Hanover, Oct 8 / 03, My old Ettie,, Yesterday some one dumped down at my door a most mysterious little Golden-syrup tin full ...
[Lines 22-24, writing with 'Arriet tucked inside jacket]
To: Emily Hobhouse, 9 November 1903: Steyn Papers: Emily Hobhouse (Olive Schreiner) 156/3/12/6
From Olive Schreiner, Copy , Hanover C.C. , Novbr 9. 1903, Dear Miss Hobhouse, Mrs Cilliers has just been in and says David h...
[Lines 28-30, eagle-eye watch fools keep on my letters!]
To: Betty Molteno, 29 January 1904: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box3/Fold3/1904/7
Hanover, Jan 29 / 04, My dear Friend, I got a note from your nephew asking me to send the meerkats to Cape Town, but they are...
[Lines6-17, Tommy looking after little ones]
To: Alice Greene, 19 June 1904: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box3/Fold3/1904/18
Hanover, June 19 / 04, Dear Friend, I am so thankful to hear Miss Molteno is better. I felt very anxious about her when I las...
[Lines 13-19, Kaffir boy, cigarette, Neta's begging on hind legs]
To: Alice Greene, 14 October 1904: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box3/Fold3/1904/50
Hanover, October 14th 1904, Dear Friend, You will have wondered that I did not write before but I have not been well. You are...
[Lines 34-72, meerkat attack ]
To: Betty Molteno, 12 November 1904: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box3/Fold3/1904/52
Hanover, Nov 12 / 04, Dear Friend, I have just found a long letter I wrote to you the week after you left. I kept it to get y...
[Lines 18-28, Litty-von]
To: Betty Molteno, 24 November 1904: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box3/Fold3/1904/54
Hanover, Nov 24 / 04, My darling Friend, You seem to be always with me sometimes almost present to me. I hope you are feeling...
[Lines 38-45, cricket ball]
To: Frances (‘Fan’) Schreiner nee Reitz, 26 February 1905: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box3/Fold4/1905/8
Hanover, Feb 26 / 05, Dear Fan, Thanks so much for your letter. It was wonderful to see the dear old handwriting again!!, We ...
[Lines 36-38, bringing 2 dogs & 5 meerkats down]
To: Alice Greene, 16 March 1906: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box3/Fold5/1906/5
Cronwright-Schreiner & Meyer, Law and Estate Agents., Auctioneers, &c,, Hanover and De Aar, Cronwright-Schreiner,, La...
[Lines 27-32, all imperialists now, God save the King!]
To: William Philip ('Will') Schreiner, 14 October 1906: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box3/Fold5/1906/24
Hotel Milner, Matjesfontein, Oct 14th 1906, Dear old Boy, I know you will be glad to hear I am getting on so finely here –...
[Lines 31-43, guess what, I'm learning golf! degraded country places, but Basson Cape Town]
To: Havelock Ellis, 20 October 1906: HRC/UNCAT/OS-146
Hotel Milner, Matjesfontein, Oct 20th 1906 , My dear Havelock , I’ve got the photograph. I agree with Edith its quite t...
[Lines 6-25, the terrible photograph, god knows you've got mouth]
To: Frances ('Fan') Schreiner nee Reitz, 22 November 1906: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box3/Fold5/1906/28
Hotel Milner, Matjesfontein, Nov 22nd 1906, My dear Fan, I was so glad of your letter. You write seldom, but when you do your...
[Lines 18-28, games]
To: Harry Gie, 24 July 1907: Olive Schreiner: Miscellaneous: Harry Gie MSB 834/1.3.3
Matjesfontein, From, O.S., To, H.G., , Thanks. Hope flourishing. Arrive 30th Pools Hotel evening, 9. o'clock. If small figu...
[Whole letter, small letter rushing down street]
To: William Philip ('Will') Schreiner, August 1907: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box3/Fold6/1907/25
Rossyvera, Norfolk Rd, Sunday, My old Laddie, It was beautiful to see you looking so well, with something of the freshness &...
[Lines 10-33, do play golf, sporting for middle aged people]
To: Ursula Schreiner, 4 December 1907: W.P. Schreiner BC112/B31/13
Box 24, de Aar, Dec 4th 1907, How are you all getting on, darling? We are flourishing here because we had half an inch of rai...
[Lines 28-29, I'll be a blooming millionaire when my book's done!]
To: William Philip ('Will') Schreiner, 21 December 1907: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box3/Fold6/1907/35
De Aar, Dec 21st 1907, Dear Laddie, We leave on the 26th for Hanover to see about packing things & trying to let or sell ...
[Lines 28-37, the amusing thing is]
To: Frances ('Fan') Schreiner nee Reitz, 6 January 1908: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box4/Fold1/1908/2
De Aar, Jan 6th 1908, Dear Fan, I wish you were coming too tomorrow, when we are looking forward so much to our glimps of Wil...
[Lines 6-12, 28, 3 parts melted sister]
To: William Philip ('Will') Schreiner, 28 January 1908: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box4/Fold1/1908/5
De Aar, Jan 28th 1908, Dearest of Laddies, Your visit was a great refreshment to me. It is lovely & cool this morning too...
[Lines 24-25, when 'the encyclopaedia' is finished!]
To: William Philip ('Will') Schreiner, 8 May 1908: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box4/Fold1/1908/27
Matjesfontein, May 8th 1908, My dear Laddie, I thought you were really unwell that last day. I believe its that deadly old Pa...
[Lines 27-45, my lovely brown jacket, opening of parl, feather for new hat]
To: William Philip ('Will') Schreiner, 10 May 1908: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box4/Fold1/1908/29
Sunday afternoon , 10 May 1908 , Dear Laddie, I was glad to see thy handwriting. Yesterday afternoon the servant came in with...
[Lines 37-40, 'Arriet on my arm, sleeping noises]
To: Frances (‘Fan’) Schreiner nee Reitz, 17 October 1908: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box4/Fold1/1908/61
De Aar, Oct 17th 1908, My dear old sister, I’ve not forgotten that the 20th will be your birthday. Many happy returns o...
[Lines 10-18, lie naked under table in the heat, the rain one day]
To: Jan Smuts, 21 December 1908: Smuts A1/191/57
Lieve Neef Jan , Ik stuur voor jou een "article", de ik greschryven het. Lees dit. Dink daar o’er. Ik veet jÿ is v...
[Whole letter, the taal letter, poking gentle fun with a purpose]
To: Francois Stephanus ('FS') Malan, 28 December 1908: Olive Schreiner: F.S. Malan 1000/3
Hotel Milner, Matjiesfontein, Cape Colony, Dec 28 / 08, My dear Friend, I am sending you a copy of my paper on Closer Union, ...
[Lines 19-22, Convention men buttering each other up, butter will melt]
To: Frances ('Fan') Schreiner nee Reitz, January 1909: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box4/Fold2/1909/2
Hotel Milner, Matjesfontein,, Cape Colony, My dear wicked old sister who never writes to me. I hear from Dr Brown that he saw...
[Line 5, dear wicked sister never writes]
To: Edward Carpenter, 19 February 1909: Edward Carpenter 359/94
Matjesfontein, Cape Colony, Feb 19 / 09, Dear Edward , You are an absolutely wicked boy! I did send those two photographs to ...
[Lines 7-17, you at Millthorpe so grand & mighty]
To: William Philip ('Will') Schreiner, 7 May 1909: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box4/Fold2/1909/24
de Aar, May 7th 1909, Dear Laddie, If it’s cigarettes, then it’s coming that I am!! But don’t smoke them al...
[Lines 6-7, if it's cigarettes, then it's coming that I am]
To: William Philip ('Will') Schreiner, 20 July 1909: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box4/Fold2/1909/38
De Aar, July 20th 1909, My darling Boy, I hope I didn’t worry you by the letter I posted yesterday which you will get w...
[Lines 19-20, stick-in-the-mud Ol]
To: William Philip ('Will') Schreiner, 25 October 1910: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box4/Fold3/1910/22
De Aar, Oct 25th 1910, My dear old Pal, I haven’t written to you much of late because I’ve not been up to writing...
[Lines 6-14, happiness a good colour for a woman, my saying]
To: William Philip ('Will) Schreiner, 28 April 1911: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box4/Fold4/1911/7
Friday , Dear Laddie, I’m sorry to trouble you; but could you cash this for me & pay it into my account in the Stan...
[Lines 13-18, Herbert Gladstone, a 'pap', thought I was going to shout 'Votes for Women']
To: William Philip ('Will') Schreiner, 6 May 1911: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box4/Fold4/1911/9
De Aar, May 6th 1911, My dear Laddie, Your card excited me so I lay awake much of the night thinking over little Ursie’...
[Lines 77-81, just making my sour-dough, whatever I can do I can make good bread, 'dab', prize at next show]
To: Frances (‘Fan’) Schreiner nee Reitz, 13 May 1911: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box4/Fold4/1911/14
de Aar , Tuesday, Dear old Sister , Thankyou for your letter. I am quite fearfully excited about going., At first I thought I...
[Lines 8-18, 45-49, the historic green, the bathing cap]
To: William Philip ('Will') Schreiner, July 1911: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box4/Fold4/1911/33
Saturday, Dear old Man, I hope you’ll have a good time of rest. You need it. I’m so glad our little woman is goin...
[Lines 29-32, wicked to send money, went wildly on spree, motor car, boats]
To: Frances (‘Fan’) Schreiner nee Reitz, 3 August 1911: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box4/Fold4/1911/34
De Aar, Aug 3rd 1911, My dear Fan, I’ve just got my English mail with a line from Will from Maderea & a letter from...
[Lines 17-19, cat and thunderstorm]
To: Alice Greene, 1912: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box11/Fold2/Undated/41
De Aar, Alice dear, your speech if the papers reported it truly, was a great sorrow to me. It would have been quite right at ...
[Lines 17-22, tell Betty if she doesn't come & eat my macaroni cheese I'll kill her]
To: William Philip ('Will') Schreiner, 16 April 1912: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box5/Fold1/1912/11
Sunday morning, De Aar, Dear Laddie, Your cigars were much appreciated. Cron had two the day I got here & they did him wo...
[Lines 6-9, thanks for cigars, solemnly handed round after each meal]
To: William Philip ('Will') Schreiner, 29 April 1912: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box5/Fold1/1912/16
De Aar, April 29th 1912, I enclose 1/3 which I owe Fan for some Pam Balm she ordered for me from her chemist. Thanks for thy ...
[Lines 35-37, Persian cat walking across paper as I write]
To: Isie Smuts nee Krige, 2 May 1912: Smuts A1/194/10/54
de Aar, May 2nd 1912, Dear old Isie, You said you would be going back to Pretoria in May. Please don’t pass without let...
[Lines 31-34, the animals curl up with her ]
To: Frances (‘Fan’) Schreiner nee Reitz, 25 September 1912: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box11/Fold1/Dated/9
De Aar, Wednesday, Dear Fan, I hope all has gone well with May. It may be she was quite out in her count – people often...
[Lines 14-23, gardening]
To: Frances (‘Fan’) Schreiner nee Reitz, October 1912: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box11/Fold2/Undated/40
Dear old sister, I’m very flap-doodlely. The heat & the height are pretty bad. I would start off for some where at ...
[Line 3, flap-doodley]
To: William Philip ('Will') Schreiner, 10 October 1912: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box5/Fold1/1912/47
De Aar, Thursday , My dear Laddie, I’ve been wanting to write to you for days, but the old pump doing its work badly, &...
[Lines 58-68, the Persian kitten being introduced to the family]
To: Alice Greene, 10 November 1912: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box5/Fold1/1912/52
De Aar , Nov 10th 1912, Dear Alice, Of course I always love you & think you one of the most lovely & darling of the p...
[Lines 30-37, dance a war dance]
To: William Philip ('Will') Schreiner, 12 November 1912: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box5/Fold1/1912/53
Dear Laddie , I shall have to come down to Cape Town soon – as soon as I’m able to get my packing done. I’v...
[Lines 21-25, calling cat Boy-Boy, sinks face against you]
To: Frances (‘Fan’) Schreiner nee Reitz, October 1913: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box11/Fold2/Undated/43
Dear Fan, I generally make my bread with zoet-zuur, which I like the best; but sometimes I make it with the "magic yeast", wh...
[Lines 3-20, bread]
To: Frances (‘Fan’) Schreiner nee Reitz, 18 November 1913: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box5/Fold2/1913/48
Tuesday morning, Dear Fan , I am sending off today three pacages by goods train addressed to Villa Flandre. I expect I shall ...
[Lines 10-20, Ohlsson's beer!]
To: Frederick ('Fred') Pethick-Lawrence, 15 January 1914: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box8/Fold4/MMPr/AssortedCorres/FredPL/26
Alassio , Thursday 15th 1914 , After many wanderings to Mentone etc. I have settled down here at my beloved Alassio which I f...
[Lines 18-22, quite a useful person]
To: William Philip ('Will') Schreiner, 21 February 1914: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box5/Fold3/1914/11
Le Grand Hotel et D’Alassio, Alassio, Riviera, Italie, 21st 1914, Dear old Man, I have just got your letter. I’d ...
[Lines 71-78, aeroplane]
To: Mary Brown nee Solomon, 1 March 1914: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box5/Fold3/1914/15
Couldn’t write a postcard without a blot, could I?, Shall be in Florence on the 1st of May., If you dear folks write pl...
[Line 1, I couldn't write a postcard without a blot]
To: William Philip ('Will') Schreiner, 25 August 1915: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box6/Fold1/July-Dec1915/16
Llandrindod Wells, Wednesday , Thanks for your letter dear. I try not to think of the boy: but the other day as I was sitting...
[Lines 19-22, Mrs Montefiore's motor car]
To: May Murray Parker nee Murray, 15 December 1917: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box11/Fold2/Undated/64
9 Porchester Place, Edgware Rd, Wednesday, My darling May, I have enjoyed your honey so much, its been so good for my chest. ...
[Lines 7-10, rusks gobbled]
To: Bill Schreiner, 26 December 1917: W.P. Schreiner BC112/B31/18
Address – if you require it – to, c/o Standard Bank, 10 Clement’s Lane, Lombard St, London, Dec 26th 1917, ...
[Lines 39-42, Vetsky, new name Oliver gave me]
To: William Philip ('Will') Schreiner, November 1918: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box11/Fold2/Undated/83
Monday , Dear Laddie , Old Mrs Brackenbury is dead. Died rather suddenly, I think of influenza. She was a rare old person, &...
[Lines 20-21, chess one excitement]
To: Joan Hodgson nee Wickham, 21 September 1919: HRC/OliveSchreinerLetters/OS-JOANHodgson/5
Dear Joan, Mary-Elizabeth is lovely – I shall get to love her name in time. I hope my visit did not tire you too much. ...
[Lines 10-13, teasing re stern name Mary Elizabeth]
To: Frances (‘Fan’) Schreiner nee Reitz, 22 January 1920: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box7/Fold3/Jan-Feb1920/11
Porchester 9 Porchester Place, Edgware Rd, Jan 22 / 1920, My dear old Sister, I got your interesting long letter yesterday. Y...
[Lines 61-69, the parrot that dropped dead hearing Spanish]