"Long term franchise will happen anyway" Read the full letter

Landscape, Nature & Things

Olive Schreiner often experienced powerful responses to landscape, to sea, mountains, sky; and to nature more generally, including animals, and she also felt strongly the importance of conservation. On a number of occasions she experienced semi-mystical responses to inanimate objects, to ‘things’ and their being. In part her responses here were connected with her feelings about the South African landscape and its birds and animals, but they also concerned her wider feelings about the ‘world’ of material things more generally and the wider interconnectedness of all forms of being.

 

To: Margaret McNaughton, 24 September 1878: Olive Schreiner: Margaret McNaughton 97.12.3.6.23
Ganna Hoek, Sep 24th 1878, My dear Miss McNaughton!, After having six months to pass I feel more than half ashamed to fulfil ...
[Ganna Hoek, wild beautiful place]
To: Havelock Ellis, 16 March 1884: HRC/CAT/OS/1a-ii
Edinburgh Hotel , St. Leonards-on-Sea, March 16 / 84. , Dear Sir , Thankyou very much for your letter. I shall so like to see...
[Australia, the starlight nights]
To: Havelock Ellis, 28 March 1884: HRC/CAT/OS/1a-iii
Edinburgh Hotel , March 28 / 84 , My dear Mr. Ellis, I have just finished reading your article in the Westminster, & I ha...
[Our African sky, wild exhilaration]
To: Havelock Ellis, 9 July 1884: HRC/CAT/OS/1b-xv
Derby Station , Wednesday, , I got here at half past twelve & find I have to wait 4 hours till half past four. I wonder ...
[Wallpapers have so much meaning for me]
To: Havelock Ellis, 10 July 1884: HRC/CAT/OS/1b-i
Bole Hill , Wirksworth , Thursday. , I found your letter waiting for me when I got here., The poems are all powerful except “...
[This is a beautiful place, stone quarries]
To: Havelock Ellis, 19 July 1884: Olive Schreiner: Havelock Ellis 2006.29/7
Friday, I thought I shouldn't to write to you today, but I find a kind of need. , Did you ever read that passage in Shelly's ...
[Looking at things really]
To: Havelock Ellis, 5 August 1884: HRC/CAT/OS/2a-iv
Buxton , Tuesday Night , Sweet, I am soon going to bed very tired. We went for a drive this morning to a place called the “...
[A wild bare mountain top, the English beautiful but not ours]
To: Havelock Ellis, 13 October 1884: HRC/CAT/OS/2b-iv
144 Marina , Monday , I hope you got my letter on Saturday evening. , I am getting better but I think it is the morphia makes...
[Eagle on glass above mantelpiece with twisted head]
To: Havelock Ellis, 21 October 1884: HRC/CAT/OS/2b-xii
Tuesday night , , Yes, it wasn’t really me. But you know I am tired & feel bitter sometimes I do fight so hard aga...
[Writing with your little pencil, reminds me more of you than a portrait would]
To: Havelock Ellis, 25 December 1884: HRC/CAT/OS/3b-xxvii
Hastings , Xmas Morning , I wonder what you are doing this morning. , I send you the first sheet of my letter to Mama to tell...
[Those mornings in the bush at Ganna Hoek, kock-o-veets]
To: Havelock Ellis, 23 March 1885: HRC/UNCAT/OS-19
Monday night , Is my sweet boy sad tonight? I have been sitting in the chair by the fire tonight thinking about him. I wish I...
[Cloud formation, happiness]
To: Havelock Ellis, 14 February 1886: HRC/UNCAT/OS-84
Sunday Eve , I have been reading your religion paper. It has been sweet & restful to me, quite a help. Other people would...
[Lurid wet sunset]
To: Karl Pearson, 23 March 1886: Karl Pearson 840/4/2/43-44
Oxford House, South Bourne-on-Sea, March 23 / 86, Dear K.P. , I return the book. Many thanks. If you come across something ve...
[Shelley, little skylarks, Southbourne, blue sky & white cloud, black beetles]
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...
[Old African world, God and nature]
To: Karl Pearson, 27 July 1886: Karl Pearson 840/4/3/40-42
The Convent, Harrow on the Hill, Monday , My dear Mr Pearson , It is good to know a friend is unbending himself so completely...
[Nature & solitude, lie on our faces in the veld]
To: Maria Sharpe m. Pearson (1890), 13 October 1886: Maria Sharpe 840/5/3
9 Blandford Sq, Dear Miss Sharpe, Will you send the enclosed to Miss E-. I’ve forgotten her address. , I couldn’t...
[Undressed walls with pictures]
To: Havelock Ellis, 27 March 1887: HRC/CAT/OS/4a-v
Grand Hotel D’Alassio , Alassio , Italy , Mar 27 / 87 , My Have- , I like this place. I like this room. I like this sea...
[Alassio, the Italy of my fancy]
To: Havelock Ellis, 12 April 1887: HRC/UNCAT/OS-113
Alassio , April 12 / 87 , My darling Boy, how much you have suffered mentally through me; & still to a certain extent do ...
[Sending you a bit of Olive tree, all the hills are covered]
To: Maria Sharpe, 24 November 1887: Maria Sharpe 840/5/17-20
Address – , Alassio, Italy. , Nov 24th 1887, Dear Miss Sharpe., I hear from Mrs Cobb & Miss Müller that your p...
[New gorilla at zoo]
To: Edward Carpenter, 25 December 1887: Edward Carpenter 359/13
Xmas morning, I’ve just got your letter & photo. The sun is shining on the terrace out side my door. It is very col...
[Alassio, sunshine & warmth]
To: Edward Carpenter, 28 December 1887: Edward Carpenter 359/14
Alassio, Tuesday night, 9 o’clock, My dear Chips , Will you please tell me what you think of doing I’ve been thin...
[Lying on the dear old earth, affection for walls, I love them so inanimate things]
To: Edward Carpenter, 8 January 1888: Edward Carpenter 359/15
Sante Croci , Alassio, Sunday morning , I’ve come up here. It’s a little ruined chapel on a point sticking out in...
[Ruined chapel at Alassio, blue Mediterranean]
To: Richard Garnett, 21 October 1888: HRC/RichardGarnett/Recip1/OS-RichardGarnett/1
Hotel Mediterranee, Alassio, Italy, Oct 21 / 88, Dear Mr Garnett, Your letter has just reached me here. Thank you a great dea...
[Alassio, sea, sky, hills]
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...
[Mentone, the grand cliffs]
To: Havelock Ellis, 13 November 1889: Olive Schreiner: Miscellaneous MSC 26/2.25.1
Montague, Nov. 13. 89., This is a little desolate up-country town among the mts. Rocks, rocks, rocks piled all about me. I le...
[Desolate upcountry town, Montague]
To: Robert Franklin ('Bob') Muirhead, December 1889: MacFarlane-Muirhead/3
My dear Bob,, Thankyou for your letter., I knew it would all be like that!! as the old women say, shaking their fingers. You’...
[People call me salamander, sun]
To: Robert Franklin ('Bob') Muirhead, 8 December 1889: MacFarlane-Muirhead/2
Mount Vernon, Cape Town., Dec 8 / 89., Dear Bob, I wrote you quite a long letter two weeks ago. Then I suddenly got news that...
[Karoo mirage]
To: Edward Carpenter, 31 January 1890: Edward Carpenter 359/46
Cape Town , Jan 31 / 90 , My Ed’rd, I send you a note I’ve just got from Ettie. It was a great disappointment to ...
[Cape Town, bushes & butterflies, bask in sun]
To: Havelock Ellis, 25 March 1890: HRC/CAT/OS/4b-xvi
In the Karroo , Matjesfontein , March 25 / 90 , I got here yesterday morning from Cape Town. , It is early morning now. I hav...
[Matjesfontein, sun rise, wide plain, rocky mountains, wild exhileration & freedom]
To: Havelock Ellis, 5 April 1890: HRC/CAT/OS/4b-xv
Sitting in my bedroom , Matjesfontein , M April 5 / 90 , It is a wild windy night, a glorious fullmoon & big clouds outsi...
[I love the Karroo, the effect of scenery on one to make one so silent & strong]
To: Havelock Ellis, 25 April 1890: HRC/UNCAT/OS-135
Matjesfontein, April 25 / 90 , Your journal was very interesting. But write me a little note with it if you have ever any thi...
[Drink in through senses, skies, bushes, men & material things as if I was just born]
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?, ...
[Karoo plant, sky, stars, mountains]
To: Havelock Ellis, 14 May 1890: HRC/CAT/OS/4b-xiii
Matjesfontein , Tues day May 14 / 90. , I got up as soon as the girl brought me my tea & had my bath in the little backro...
[Saw the little karoo plants, laid down on big flat rock in the dry sluit]
To: Havelock Ellis, 11 October 1890: HRC/UNCAT/OS-139
Saturday Night , My Boy. , You must be gentle to me when you write to me: you hurt me. I know I hurt you sometimes but then I...
[Wild windy night, gates at Florence & Michael Angelo's four figures, Notre Dame]
To: William Philip ('Will') Schreiner, December 1890: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box1/Fold1/1890/12
[page/s missing], & Theo told me when she died & repeated it to me again in England that Alice left the children to h...
[This earth for heaven, beautiful veld]
To: Mary Sauer nee Cloete, 23 December 1891: Olive Schreiner: Mary Sauer MSC 26/2.11.45
Queen's Hotel , Frid Wednesday, Dear Mary,, I'm sitting here with the beautiful old sea making a noise just below my window. ...
[Beautiful old sea, sit on rocks]
To: John T. Lloyd, 29 October 1892: Olive Schreiner: J.T. Lloyd MSC 26/2.5.1
Matjesfontein , Oct 29 / 92, Dear Mr Lloyd , Thank you very much for the lecture you sent me. Need I tell you that I valued i...
[Unity of all things, divinity in plant & animal world]
To: Edward Carpenter, 25 December 1892: Edward Carpenter 359/59
Xmas day, 1892, Dear Ed , I want to write to you this day. It’s so nice here. I’m staying at the old farm where I...
[Ganna Hoek, wild place, monkeys & snakes, naked on koppie]
To: Rebecca Schreiner nee Lyndall, 27 February 1894: Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/28
Krantz Plaatz, Feb. 27. 1894, My own little Mother. I’ve not had time before to tell you about our quiet little wedding...
[Woman gave me cat, tame cat & wild cat, goat caressing, little wild cat just come in]
To: William Philip ('Will') Schreiner, 11 April 1894: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box1/Fold2/1894/6
April 11 / 94, My old Will, I wish I knew the drift of things in Cape Town & how all went with you., I got a very curious...
[Feeling for nature]
To: Mary Sauer nee Cloete, 17 August 1894: Olive Schreiner: Mary Sauer MSC 26/2.11.73
My darling, I understand so perfectly what you mean. It's just because one wants to be so absolutely one with another humanbe...
[Bathing in river at Krantz Plaats, views from mountain]
To: Mary Sauer nee Cloete, 5 October 1894: Olive Schreiner: Mary Sauer MSC 26/2.11.78
The Homestead , Kimberley , Sep Oct 5 / 94, Dear one, Did Mrs Salt send you Carpenter's new pamphlet on "Marriage"? If she di...
[Garden, common flower seeds]
To: Betty Molteno, 22 August 1898: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box1/Fold5/1898/18
My dear Friend, I am very ill, I seem to have no life left & can do nothing. The doctor says is only my heart; but I beli...
[Little brown birds so full of life a comfort]
To: Betty Molteno, 1 November 1898: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box1/Fold5/1898/38
Dounan’s House, Hospital Hill, Nov 1st 1898, So glad of your letter. Am full of plans for you & Miss Greene coming ...
[Laying in veld, nothing so restful as a rock]
To: Betty Molteno, 7 November 1898: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box1/Fold5/1898/40
Dear Friend, You’ll never guess where I am? Sitting on the verandah of the little house on the top of the krantz, while...
[The view superb]
To: Betty Molteno, 12 November 1898: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box1/Fold5/1898/42
Dounan’s House, Hospital Hill, Nov 12 / 98, Dear Friend, Cron has returned from seeing the lawyers. It seems he can’...
[Lark's nest]
To: Betty Molteno, 18 July 1899: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box2/Fold2/July-Dec1899/8
Monday Afternoon, Dear Friend, I got both your letters this afternoon. There is no fresh news here today. Kolbe’s lett...
[That mountain top, loved my mountains since I was a child; bought two acres where Cron, baby and I will be buried]
To: Betty Molteno, 29 August 1899: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box2/Fold2/July-Dec1899/22
Karree Kloof, Via Kran Kuil, Tuesday the 29th , We got here last night after a most glorious drive in a cart with four horses...
[This a lovely place]
To: Alice Greene, 31 August 1899: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box2/Fold2/July-Dec1899/24
Aug 31st , Dear Friend, We seem to be living in heaven here. The only shadow on our happiness is that we shall have to go awa...
[Karee Kloof, koppies, sunset]
To: Alice Greene, 12 September 1899: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box2/Fold2/July-Dec1899/27
Sep 12th 1899, Did you see that the Standard & Diggers News of the 4th of Aug took over the whole of your letter about Bu...
[Karroo, Bushman etchings]
To: Betty Molteno, 28 September 1899: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box2/Fold2/July-Dec1899/34
Karree Kloof, Via Kran Kuil, Sep 28 / 99, Dear Friend, I hope you are better again. I have sent a copy of your article letter...
[Evening rides, coming home alone in the dark, clear night sky]
To: Caroline Murray nee Molteno, February 1900: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box2/Fold3/1900/10
Wagenaar’s Kraal, Three Sisters, Wednesday , Dear Mrs Murray, I have written to the address you were so very kind as to...
[Africa sad to me now]
To: Betty Molteno, 26 September 1900: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box2/Fold3/1900/51
Wednesday, Another lovely day has come to an end. Life is a delight in such a delightful climate as this, one feels as if one...
[Life a delight in this climate]
To: Alice Greene, 1 October 1900: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box2/Fold3/1900/52
Hanover, Oct 1st 1900, I am so glad you are better. I wish some times I could send you a jug of the beautiful fresh milk one ...
[Simply perfect here, the sky & air]
To: Betty Molteno, 3 October 1900: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box2/Fold3/1900/54
Sep Hanover, Oct 3 / 00, Dear Friend, After the sharp frosty night there was an absolutely perfect day. It was too cold to si...
[Butterflies on koppie, red hare]
To: Betty Molteno, 10 October 1900: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box2/Fold3/1900/57
Hanover, Oct 10 / 00, Dear Friends, So glad you are coming. Mrs de Villers who has invited you is a charming old lady. , I’...
[Baby birds on the ground]
To: Betty Molteno, 27 January 1901: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box2/Fold4/1901/4
Hanover, Jan 27 / 01, Dear Friend, I want to know how things are going with you both. Cron says you are going to live in a li...
[Sunlit plains, not real]
To: Alice Greene, 12 September 1901: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box 12/Fold2/Misc/4
Wednesday, Dear Miss Greene, I do hope you are feeling quite better again & will be able to go up the mountain on Saturda...
[Karoo, Sneuberg, blossoms on trees, kopjes]
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...
[Neta's pups]
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...
[Meerkat & pups]
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...
[The family, i.e. Neta, Olley, Cron, Belzibub, & Sarah-Jane]
To: Betty Molteno, 5 May 1902: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box3/Fold1/1902/12
Hanover, May 5th 1902, Dear Friend, It’s such a long letter time since I had any news not only from you but from any of...
[Meerkats sweet, go for walks with us, as all hope dies one clings to nature]
To: Frances ('Fan') Schreiner nee Reitz, 16 May 1902: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box11/Fold1/Dated/14
Hanover, May 16th ?1902, Dear Fan, Many thanks for your letter. It’s very nice to have any news of you., If it takes so...
[Meerkats, dearest little things]
To: Alice Greene, 23 May 1902: GFP/OS-AG/3
Hanover, May 23rd 1902, Dear Friend, I’m so glad you are in such a lovely place. Nature has never seemed to me more inf...
[There's always the blue sky, vast flat place + koppies]
To: John Brown, 25 May 1902: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box3/Fold1/1902/15
Hanover, May 25 / 02, My dear Dr Brown, I hope you are all having a good time in England, but I hope you will all get safely ...
[Spent day in veld, cares seem so small out in veld]
To: Frances (‘Fan’) Schreiner nee Reitz, June 1902: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box11/Fold2/Undated/9
Hanover, Friday night, My dear Fan, Will you please send me the address name & numbers of your little stove in the kitche...
[Meerkats in snow]
To: Betty Molteno, 15 June 1902: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box3/Fold1/1902/19
Hanover, June 15 / 02, Thanks for your post card. This is a PC I have just got from Isie Smuts. It grieves me that after two ...
[The muntains beautifully white, can't bear to look at them]
To: Betty Molteno, 5 October 1902: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box3/Fold1/1902/26
Hanover, Oct 5th 1902, Dearest Friend, I have not written to you for so long because I have been ill. Did you get my very lon...
[The kopjes & hills are terrible to me]
To: Betty Molteno, 23 February 1903: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box3/Fold2/1903/1
Hanover, Feb 23 / 03, My darling Friend, I have just got your letter & also have seen in the paper that Mrs Anderson has ...
[A heavenly day]
To: Betty Molteno, 25 September 1903: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box3/Fold2/1903/19
Hanover, Sep 25 / 03, My darling Friend, I’m so glad its nice at your brothers farm. The climate here is quite perfect ...
[Meerkats well; baby meerkats, 'Arriet's grandmotherly eyes]
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...
[The meerkats]
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...
[Meerkats & dogs]
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 ...
[Drought in Hanover, 'Arriet in my jacket]
To: Alice Greene, 1904: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box11/Fold2/Undated/13
Saturday , Dear Friend, I can’t come to you in this weather & you can’t come to me "because of all the houses...
[Camps Bay, light shining on mountains & bushes, great silence]
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...
[Meerkats, Emma more little ones, Tommie working hard]
To: Frances (‘Fan’) Schreiner nee Reitz, 21 February 1904: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box3/Fold3/1904/8
Hanover, Feb 21 / 04, Dear old Sister, Some how I’ve been thinking so much of you the last days. I hope you are all hav...
[Meerkats, Emma killed]
To: Alice Greene, 14 June 1904: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box3/Fold3/1904/15
Wednesday afternoon, Dear Friend,, I am so sorry to hear Miss Molteno is ill, & yet thankful to think she is compelled to...
[Meerkats]
To: Alice Greene, 15 June 1904: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box3/Fold3/1904/16
Hanover, June 15th 1904, Dear Friend, Thank you for your letter. I am so sorry that Miss Molteno is not fit. This evening I ...
[Meerkats happy, dead & alive little creatures in cape Town]
To: Edward Carpenter, 17 June 1904: Olive Schreiner: Edward Carpenter SMD 30/32/c
Hanover, June 17 / 04, Dear old Edward, Some friends have asked me to come to England & they say you wanted me to come to...
['Arriet sitting for hours asleep on shoulder]
To: Betty Molteno, 3 August 1904: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box3/Fold3/1904/34
Hanover, Aug 3 / 04, Dear Friend, I feel sure I know what the trouble is. It is probably a matter in which you can’t be...
[Neta has cancer]
To: Betty Molteno, 23 September 1904: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box3/Fold3/1904/48
Hanover, Friday, Dear Friend, I got here yesterday. You will have been at Uitkyk when I passed. It seemed a bit sad to think ...
[The bliss of Tommie]
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...
[Neta, meerkats attack Dutch parson]
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...
[Meerkats, 'Arriet's babies drowned]
To: Betty Molteno, 26 December 1904: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box3/Fold3/1904/59
Hanover, Dec 26 / 04, My dear Friend, I can’t remember whether I gave Miss Greene Alice Corthorn’s address, 30 St...
[Notre Dame as the darkness gathering, Paris, spring day]
To: Betty Molteno, 11 January 1905: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box3/Fold4/1905/1
Hanover, Jan 11 / 05, My darling Friend, I got your beautiful long letter today, also the one from London. Isn’t it rat...
[National Gallery, Signorelli's Little Angel]
To: Betty Molteno, 10 May 1905: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box3/Fold4/1905/18
Eastbergholt, Tamboer’s Kloof Rd, Tamboer’s Kloof, May 10 / 05, My dear Friend, Your beautiful long letter about ...
[Watched the sea & I saw it all, young moon over Lion's Head]
To: William Philip ('Will') Schreiner, 11 July 1905: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box3/Fold4/1905/25
Hanover, July 11 / 05, My dear old Laddy, Thank you very much for your note from Nauheim. I am so glad they think your heart ...
[When they have exterminated all the birds & wild beasties, Neta]
To: Betty Molteno, 1 August 1905: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box3/Fold4/1905/28
Hanover, Aug 1st 1905, My darling Friend, It was a disappointment after your lovely time in Devonshire to hear you were ill a...
[The Winged Victory, no other picture]
To: Robert Franklin ('Bob') Muirhead, 8 May 1906: MacFarlane-Muirhead/18
Cronwright-Schreiner & Meyer , Law and Estate Agents. , Auctioneers, &c, Hanover and De Aar , Cronwright-Schreiner, L...
[De Aar all dust & flies & tin]
To: William Philip ('Will') Schreiner, 27 May 1906: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box3/Fold5/1906/9
Hadden Hall, Sunday night, Dear Laddie, I was a disappointment when I got back from seeing you to find you’d been to se...
[Even the flowers couldn't console me]
To: Betty Molteno, 29 June 1906: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box11/Fold1/Dated/16
June 29th 1906, Your brother James made a splendid speech in the house yesterday. It was a most lively afternoon. Cron & ...
[How beautiful it is, earth holds nothing more beautiful]
To: Frances ('Fan) Schreiner nee Reitz, 10 October 1906: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box3/Fold5/1906/23
Hotel Milner, Matjesfontein, Oct 10 1906, Dear Fan, I don’t know just when your birthday is, but I know it’s some...
[Dust so bad couldn't see Cronwright at platform]
To: Robert Franklin ('Bob') Muirhead and Lene Muirhead, 24 December 1907: MacFarlane-Muirhead/20
P.O. Box 24, De Aar, Cape Colony, South Africa, Dec 24 / 07, Dear Bob & Lene, This is just a little line of Xmas & Ne...
[De Aar same dry windy dusty plains]
To: Edward Carpenter, 1908: Olive Schreiner: Edward Carpenter SMD 30/32/f
Dear old Edward, I like Kokoro more than any book I've read for a long time. Have you read "the Souls of Black Folks" I advis...
[Buddhism & animal world, mysticism]
To: Edward Carpenter, 6 February 1908: Olive Schreiner: Edward Carpenter SMD 30/32/gii
De Aar, Feb 6th 1908, Dear Edward, Months ago I began the enclosed letter. I haven't written because I wanted to go on with i...
[De Aar vast military camp, miles of veld trodden bare]
To: Mary Brown nee Solomon, 22 March 1908: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box4/Fold1/1908/14
Matjesfontein, March 22nd 1908, My dear brave, darling,, It has done my heart good to know you were were working on so in spi...
[M'atjesontein, favourite tree on the koppie]
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...
[Matjesfontein, wonderful mists, worshipper of clouds]
To: Betty Molteno, 23 May 1908: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box4/Fold1/1908/32
Matjesfontein, May 23rd 1908, Darling Friend, I am still here you see, but leave next Wednesday for de Aar., No I don’t...
[Don't like Isle of Wight, scenery petty & mean]
To: Lucy Molteno nee Mitchell, 19 November 1910: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box4/Fold3/1910/25
c/o Haldane Murray Esq, Portlock, nr Graaff Reinet, Nov 219 / 10, My dear Lucie , I hope you & the dear children are all ...
[Beautiful air among mountains at Portlock]
To: William Philip ('Will') Schreiner, 30 November 1910: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box4/Fold3/1910/26
Portlock, nr. Graaff Reinet, Nov 30 / 10, Dear Laddie , Adela little baby was born abo some months ago. She was very nearly d...
[Sea, mountain tops, rest]
To: William Philip ('Will') Schreiner, 20 December 1910: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box4/Fold3/1910/28
Portlock, nr. Graaff Reinet, Dec 20 / 10, Dear old Man, I hope you are getting away for a real holiday somewhere; but perhaps...
[The immense flats & blue mountains fade away like the sea]
To: Minnie or Mimmie Murray nee Parkes, 1911: Olive Schreiner: Mimmie Murray 2001.24/59
De Aar, I did send on your letter on to Miss Hyett & am glad I did, as she will be delighted to come to you at Xmas time....
[Dark maroon pansy in garden]
To: Minnie or Mimmie Murray nee Parkes, January 1911: Olive Schreiner: Mimmie Murray 2001.24/65
Oudeberg , Sunday morning, Dear Mrs Murray , I've been wondering how you all got back again! I got nicely to Graaff Reinet &...
[Walking along foot of mountain near Portlock, rocks, trees, baboons]
To: William Philip ('Will') Schreiner, 29 January 1911: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box4/Fold4/1911/2
Oudeberg Hotel, Oudeburg, nr Graaff Reinet, Jan 29th 1911, Dear old Man,, I was glad of a word from you, & most glad to h...
[A high mountain pass, wide valleys, Oudeberg, high mountains, deep gorges, whenever I feel lonely I just rush outside]
To: Edward Carpenter, 31 January 1911: Edward Carpenter 359/95
Oudeberg, nr. Graaff Reinet , Jan 31st 1911 , Dear Ed , I was glad to get your letter. I don’t know why I’ve had ...
[Oudeberg, gigantic precipice, baboons]
To: Edward Carpenter, 3 April 1911: Edward Carpenter 359/96
De Aar , April 3rd 1911 , My dear E.C. , I am sending you a copy of my Woman & Labour. You will see its only a fragment. ...
[The most venamous cobras, animals, anti-vivisection]
To: Havelock Ellis, June 1911: Olive Schreiner: Havelock Ellis 2006.29/18
Victoria Falls Hotel, Zambesi, S.A., Thursday, Dear Havelock boy,, We leave tomorrow this most lovely & beautiful & w...
[Victoria falls, cries from happiness]
To: William Philip ('Will') Schreiner, 6 June 1911: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box4/Fold4/1911/29
From Olive, To Schreiner Chambers Cape Town, Falls surpass all dreams all well much love,
[Victoria falls surpass all dreams]
To: William Philip ('Will') Schreiner, 6 June 1911: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box4/Fold4/1911/27
Victoria Falls Hotel,, Zambesi,, S.A., Tuesday , Dear Will,, We went to see the Falls yesterday passing through the rain fore...
[Victoria falls, so strong & beautiful]
To: William Philip ('Will') Schreiner, 8 June 1911: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box4/Fold4/1911/28
Victoria Falls Hotel,, Zambesi,, S.A., Thursday night, We leave tomorrow early, dear, this is our last night. I think I was n...
[Victoria falls, never had same feeling to any material object, mountain or river]
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...
[Cat awfully excited & thunder]
To: Edward Carpenter, 16 September 1911: Olive Schreiner: Edward Carpenter SMD 30/32/k
De Aar, Sep 16th 1911, Ed dear,, I'm sending you another copy of my book. I think the mystery is solved as to what becomes of...
[Gardening is such a passion]
To: Minnie or Mimmie Murray nee Parkes, 23 April 1912: Olive Schreiner: Mimmie Murray 2001.24/17
De Aar , April 23rd 1912, Dear Mrs Murray , Please tell the children how delighted I am with their lovely gift. You don't kno...
[My garden, millions of chrysanthemums]
To: Edward Carpenter, 24 April 1912: Olive Schreiner: Edward Carpenter SMD 30/32/l
De Aar, April 24th 1912, Dear Edward, I now & then hear a word of you from some one who has seen you & they say all s...
[De Aar sandstorm at this moment]
To: Minnie or Mimmie Murray nee Parkes, June 1912: Olive Schreiner: Mimmie Murray 2001.24/34
De Aar , Friday , Dear Friend, Thank you so much for your letter. I have a very lovely rose in my garden & want to order ...
[Lovely rose in my garden, rose enclosed]
To: Frances (‘Fan’) Schreiner nee Reitz, 16 June 1912: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box5/Fold1/1912/27
Sunday afternoon, Dear Fan, I got here about 11 this morning after a very comfortable journey with a carriage quite to myself...
[One of the most tremendous hail storms]
To: Edward Carpenter, 17 June 1912: Edward Carpenter 359/98
De Aar, June 17th 1912, Dear Edward , Thank you much for your book. I would have written sooner but I’ve been through a...
[Victoria Falls, the smoke rising]
To: Havelock Ellis, 30 June 1912: Olive Schreiner: Havelock Ellis 2006.29/5
De Aar, June 30th 1912, Dear old Boy, Thanks for your letter. Of course each person's "diary works" (I mean simple, spontaneo...
[The atmospheric effects of every day, strange passionate love for pepper trees]
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, &...
[Persian kitten , prettiest scene in animal life I have ever seen]
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...
[Kitten angelic]
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...
[Alassio the most charming restful place on earth]
To: William Philip ('Will') Schreiner, 18 January 1914: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box5/Fold3/1914/2
Hotel Paol, Florence, Jan 11th 1914, My dear Laddie, Oliver will no doubt write you a long letter telling of our adventures s...
[My beloved Alassio, snow & mountains & air]
To: Frances (‘Fan’) Schreiner nee Reitz, 11 February 1914: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box5/Fold3/1914/8
Le Grand Hotel et D’Alassio, Alassio, Riviera, Italie, My dear old Sister , Thank you for your interesting long letter....
[Our beloved Persian cat Boy-Boy dead]
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 ...
[Feel to Alassio as Ettie did to Blauberg; should like so to die here]
To: Lucy Molteno nee Mitchell, 8 June 1914: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box5/Fold3/1914/32
Hotel Augusta Victoria , Bad Nauheim, June 8th 1914, My darling Lucy, I hope to hear soon that the operation has done you rea...
[Beauty every way you turn]
To: Frances (‘Fan’) Schreiner nee Reitz, 10 June 1914: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box5/Fold3/1914/33
Bad Nauheim, June 10th 1914, Dear old sister, I think of you so much here. I wish you had been able to come with Will. I’...
[Bad Nauheim, beautiful woods, effects of baths]
To: William Philip ('Will') Schreiner, 6 July 1914: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box5/Fold3/1914/42
Continental Hotel, Dresden , ?6.7.14, My dear Laddie, I have just got here, & moved into a room in the hottest Hotel I ev...
[I dont think I ever felt anything more, Goethe's house]
To: Robert Franklin ('Bob') Muirhead, 14 July 1914: MacFarlane-Muirhead/25
Grand Hotel und Kurhaus, Oberhof, July 14th 1914, Dear Bob thanks for your letter. As you will see I’m now in a little ...
[Love lakes and rivers, water]
To: William Philip ('Will') Schreiner, 28 September 1914: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box5/Fold3/1914/68
Monday evening, My dear love of an old Brother, I have just returned from Hythe where I have been since Saturday. I have foun...
[Hythe, peaceful little place]
To: John Hodgson, October 1914: HRC/OliveSchreinerLetters/OS-JohnHodgson/3
Telephone: 3675 Kensington., Telegrams: Apartment, London., Kensington Palace Mansions & Hotel,, De Vere Gardens, W., Dea...
[Fox hunting, if there was no fox, would be heavenly]
To: John Hodgson, October 1914: HRC/OliveSchreinerLetters/OS-JohnHodgson/5
Telephone: 3675 Kensington., Telegrams: Apartment, London., Kensington Palace Mansions & Hotel,, De Vere Gardens, W., Dea...
[Cry of wild nature is marvellous power of Bard]
To: William Philip ('Will') Schreiner, 23 October 1914: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box5/Fold3/1914/76
Kensington Palace Mansions , Friday afternoon , Dear I did enjoy yesterday evening so. I am much better for being here in thi...
[Kensington gardens, smoky London sparrows, like paradise]
To: Havelock Ellis, 13 December 1914: HRC/CAT/OS/5a-viii
Kensington Palace Mansions & Hotel,, De Vere Gardens, W., Sunday , Dear Havelock , It was nice to get a word from you Oh,...
[Only thing that gives me joy are sparrows & pigeons]
To: Betty Molteno, 23 December 1914: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box5/Fold3/1914/91
Address care Standard Bank, Kensington Palace Mansions,, De Vere Gardens, W, My dear dear Friend, How I long to see you., Its...
[Feel so far away, I could die for Africa, nightmare here continues]
To: William Philip (Will') Schreiner, 1915: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box11/Fold2/Undated/53
[page/s missing], 2, Kensington Place Mansions & Hotel,, De Vere Gardens, W., Oh, however since that accursed peace of Ve...
[Oh my Africa]
To: Havelock Ellis, 5 June 1915: HRC/CAT/OS/5a-ix
Kensington Palace Mansions & Hotel,, De Vere Gardens, W., Sunday , Dear Havelock , I’ve been very ill all this week...
[Three things longed to come to England for, see primroses on railways banks, pick May off tree, go up the river]
To: Andre Murray, July 1915: Olive Schreiner: Mimmie Murray 2001.24/87
I wish you could see this beautiful country. Its not so grand as our South Africa, I think there is nothing so grand in the w...
[Llandrindodd beautiful, but not as grand as our South Africa]
To: William Philip ('Will') Schreiner, 31 July 1915: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box6/Fold1/July-Dec1915/7
c/o Dr Parker, Llandindod Wells, Wales., Saturday, Thank you for your letter, dear. How little we thought this time last year...
[Llandrindod, air most pure, a quiet restful time far from worries]
To: Havelock Ellis, 5 August 1915: HRC/CAT/OS/5a-x
c/o Dr Parker , Llandrindod Wells / Wales , Thursday , Dear Havelock , I don’t know what to say about Llandrindod. The ...
[Cornwall dampness, East Coast strong winds]
To: William Philip ('Will') Schreiner, 29 August 1915: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box11/Fold1/Dated/37
Llandrindodd Wells, Tuesday, Dear Old Man, Tomorrow will be your birthday. I’m so glad you’ve at least one of you...
[Saw Aura Borealis, the whole sky light up]
To: William Philip ('Will') Schreiner, 13 September 1915: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box6/Fold1/July-Dec1915/21
Monday, Dear old Man, I don’t think I’m at all foolishly anxious about Zeps; but next time one comes I would be s...
[This is beautiful, the dull greens of most of England]
To: Betty Molteno, 14 November 1915: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box6/Fold1/July-Dec1915/40
Maer Lake, Bude, North Cornwall, My dear Betty , Thank you for your card. I got worse in London so I’ve come on here. I...
[Great bare rocks]
To: William Philip ('Will') Schreiner, 19 November 1915: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box6/Fold1/July-Dec1915/41
Maer Lake, Bude, North Cornwall, Friday , Dear old Man , Thank you for your letter. I am glad to have news of the lad as late...
[Bude, black rocks, wild & desolate]
To: Robert Franklin ('Bob') Muirhead, January 1916: MacFarlane-Muirhead/33
30 St Mary Abbotts Terrace, Kensington, Friday, Dear Bob, Thank you for your letter. I wonder what you feel on the cons-cript...
[Omnibus rides my great joy in life]
To: Frances (‘Fan’) Schreiner nee Reitz, 10 April 1916: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box6/Fold2/1916/25
Alexi, 31 The Park, Hampstead, Monday, Dear Fan. I’ve been meaning to write to you all the week to thank you for all yo...
[The dear animals, it comforts me so]
To: William Philip ('Will') Schreiner, 1917: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box11/Fold2/Undated/68
9 Porchester Place, Edgware Rd , Thursday , My dear old Brother , Thank you so much about the trouble you took about my thing...
[Fred's things unnerve me, curious clinging to material things, they seem alive to me]
To: Betty Molteno, 12 October 1919: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box7/Fold2/Aug-Dec1919/21
Sunday , Darling Betty, Oh how I long to see you today. I have not heard from you for two days, so hope to have news from you...
[Dove, kittens, lamb & wolf laying down together]
To: Betty Molteno, 6 March 1920: Olive Schreiner BC16/Box11/Fold1/Dated/50
Friday, Darling Betty, I enclose you a sweet letter I got from Margaret this morning. I am sending her a letter of introducti...
[Alice seems part of Africa more than England]