"That I may finish that book, 'From Man to Man', being of some use, tragedy & bitterness of woman's fate" Read the full letter
Letter Reference | Olive Schreiner BC16/Box4/Fold4/1911/8 |
Archive | University of Cape Town, Manuscripts & Archives, Cape Town |
Epistolary Type | Letter |
Letter Date | Monday May 1911 |
Address From | De Aar, Northern Cape |
Address To | |
Who To | Lucy Molteno nee Mitchell |
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 month and year have been written on this letter in an unknown hand.
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1
De Aar
2 Monday
3
4 Dear Lucy
5
6 I got your letter yesterday. Its news filled me with gladness for you.
7Not only for your sake but for the children, I am so glad. It will be
8such a good thing especially for Lucy to have a tiny one to love &
9protect. The most beautiful thing of my childhood & indeed of my whole
10life, was the birth of a little sister when I was 7 years old. During
11the 18 months she lived the world seemed to hold nothing else for me,
12& now after these long long years she is one of the most precious
13things life ever gave me.
14
15 I think perhaps, I may be staying at Blauwberg Strand in the summer &
16then I could come in some time after Xmas to see you & it. All your
17children are so sweet & interesting, each in their own way, that one
18feels so glad you should have more. Not only for your sake but the
19world at large.
20
21 I am so glad you’ve enjoyed your winter so. Is the farm near
22Beaufort West? I don’t remember the name.
23
24 Yes, Joey is engaged to Mr Smuts. I think him a fine fellow, manly,
25straight forward & tender-hearted. Just the man to make an ideal
26husband. Good bye dear. Write me a line soon
27
28^again please & let me know how it goes with you. ^
29
30 Olive
31
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33
2 Monday
3
4 Dear Lucy
5
6 I got your letter yesterday. Its news filled me with gladness for you.
7Not only for your sake but for the children, I am so glad. It will be
8such a good thing especially for Lucy to have a tiny one to love &
9protect. The most beautiful thing of my childhood & indeed of my whole
10life, was the birth of a little sister when I was 7 years old. During
11the 18 months she lived the world seemed to hold nothing else for me,
12& now after these long long years she is one of the most precious
13things life ever gave me.
14
15 I think perhaps, I may be staying at Blauwberg Strand in the summer &
16then I could come in some time after Xmas to see you & it. All your
17children are so sweet & interesting, each in their own way, that one
18feels so glad you should have more. Not only for your sake but the
19world at large.
20
21 I am so glad you’ve enjoyed your winter so. Is the farm near
22Beaufort West? I don’t remember the name.
23
24 Yes, Joey is engaged to Mr Smuts. I think him a fine fellow, manly,
25straight forward & tender-hearted. Just the man to make an ideal
26husband. Good bye dear. Write me a line soon
27
28^again please & let me know how it goes with you. ^
29
30 Olive
31
32
33