"'From Man to Man', Rhodes dream, friendship should precede marriage" Read the full letter
| Letter Reference | Olive Schreiner BC16/Box11/Fold1/Dated/35 |
| Archive | University of Cape Town, Manuscripts & Archives, Cape Town |
| Epistolary Type | Letter |
| Letter Date | After Start: 17 August 1915 ; Before End: 31 August 1915 |
| Address From | Llandrindod Wells, Wales |
| Address To | |
| Who To | William Philip ('Will') Schreiner |
| Other Versions | |
| Permissions | Please read before using or citing this transcription |
| Legend |
The Project is grateful to Manuscripts and Archives, University of Cape Town, for kindly allowing us to transcribe this Olive Schreiner letter, which is part of its Manuscripts and Archives Collections. The date and month have been written on this letter in an unknown hand, while the year is provided by content. The name of the addressee is indicated by content. Schreiner first stayed in Llandrindod Wells from late July to late October 1915, and then again from mid June to mid September 1916.
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1
Dear, Please address enclosed to Dot. I hope you have had more news
2from Oliver. But I doubt whether letters come quickly or easily,
3especially from some parts.
4
5 It is pouring with rain here to-day, but yesterday was lovely.
6
7 I enclose you a bit of Cron’s last letter with his weekly comment on
8Oliver. How every one values our boy.
9
10 Olive
11
12
13
2from Oliver. But I doubt whether letters come quickly or easily,
3especially from some parts.
4
5 It is pouring with rain here to-day, but yesterday was lovely.
6
7 I enclose you a bit of Cron’s last letter with his weekly comment on
8Oliver. How every one values our boy.
9
10 Olive
11
12
13
Notation
The ‘bit’ of Cronwright- Schreiner’s letter attached is as follows. On one side is,
'De Aar 17.8.15, Dear Wife, It is Tuesday Evening. I got back yesterday morning – a truly frightful day, a heavy N. West gale which buried & rendered invisible at times the whole town. Today has been nicer. I am overwhelmed with work; this was inevitable no doubt after a fortnight’s ab'
And on the other side is,
'It is really a terrible thing such a man as Oliver going out to the war. May he return. He’s much too good a man to be "food for powder" or to be killing other men – with that superb intellect & that beautiful heart. Poor Will! It may really kill him if that boy goes. What a waste is war - what insanity.
I called at Will’s house (East Cliff) at St James last Friday evening to have a chat with Bill, but he is staying at some other place and I missed him. I am sorry. I had met him in the Street in C. Town a few days before. He looks well.'.
The ‘bit’ of Cronwright- Schreiner’s letter attached is as follows. On one side is,
'De Aar 17.8.15, Dear Wife, It is Tuesday Evening. I got back yesterday morning – a truly frightful day, a heavy N. West gale which buried & rendered invisible at times the whole town. Today has been nicer. I am overwhelmed with work; this was inevitable no doubt after a fortnight’s ab'
And on the other side is,
'It is really a terrible thing such a man as Oliver going out to the war. May he return. He’s much too good a man to be "food for powder" or to be killing other men – with that superb intellect & that beautiful heart. Poor Will! It may really kill him if that boy goes. What a waste is war - what insanity.
I called at Will’s house (East Cliff) at St James last Friday evening to have a chat with Bill, but he is staying at some other place and I missed him. I am sorry. I had met him in the Street in C. Town a few days before. He looks well.'.