"Why not happy, arming native, politics" Read the full letter
Henrietta Stakesby Lewis (nee Schreiner)
Henrietta Rebecca (Ettie or Het) Stakesby Lewis (nee Schreiner) (1850 - 1912) was Olive Schreiner’s elder sister and an important figure in South African social work and temperance circles. Ettie was born at Umpukani mission station and grew up in the Kat River area. After Theo Schreiner became headmaster at the Cradock school in 1867 Ettie went to keep house for him, and she also started a girls school there. The two shared a zealous and rather rigid Christian faith. Ettie accompanied Theo when he left for the Diamond Fields in 1870, with Olive Schreiner then joining them. her experiences at the Diamond Fields converted the staunchly religious Ettie to the temperance movement, and in this she enlisted Theo’s help. During the 1870s she launched the world-wide Women’s Temperance Prayer Campaign and in the years which followed travelled to Britain, Australia, New Zealand and the US, lecturing extensively on temperance and evangelical matters.
After the death of her sister Alice Hemming in 1884, Ettie took primary charge of caring for Alice’s children and is sometimes rather confusingly referred to in family letters as the ‘mother’ of these children. In 1893 she married John Stakesby Lewis and the couple lived in Kimberley for some years before moving to Cape Town where Ettie opened a home for the destitute on Upper Buitenkant Street called ‘The Highlands’. It also served as a crèche for abandoned babies and a home for invalids of a range of kinds including alcoholism and mental illness, and operated a system of water treatments. Stakesby Lewis died after long suffering from the painful and debilitating family heart condition in 1898.
Ettie Stakesby Lewis was active in the Women’s Temperance Union and in 1907 she led a large protest against the Cheap Wine Licensing Bill. When she died in 1912, “an estimated 10 000 followers and friends attended her funeral” (Quinton and Conradie 1981: 601). Ettie was described as a great and indeed unstoppable talker and a staunch admirer of Rhodes. With her mother Rebecca and brother Theo, she was extremely pro-British during the 1899-1902 South African War. Ettie described herself as feeling passionately loving towards Olive, reciprocated by Olive but with some major rifts in the relationship between the sisters as well. Schreiner might have forgiven but she never forgot being beaten by Ettie for a minor matter in the school in Cradock, both for the injustice of the punishment and its violent character. Also Ettie’s passionate support for the British cause was something Schreiner found difficult at times, although her letters also recognize that Ettie never behaved in the unscrupulous way that the even more pro-British Theo did in using family relationships and confidences in a public context.
Schreiner’s early letters to the then Ettie Schreiner provide interesting glimpses of the young Olive, for example in an 1872 letter about her engagement to Julius Gau, taking him to meet her parents, and him not being able to tolerate the idea that his wife would have ever had to work for her living. These early letters to Ettie compare interestingly with those to her other sisters Katie Findlay and Alice Hemming over similar period. Those to Ettie are considerably warmer, more ‘natural’ and there are signs of great affection. They are chatty, have a conversational feel especially in the earliest ones, with such remarks as ‘good bye till next week’. The later letters are focused primarily on family news and obligations, health matters, including the death of Rebecca Schreiner and its aftermath (including the disinterment of Gottlob Schreiner and his reburial with Rebecca in Maitland cemetery in Cape Town), a rift with Theo and a partial reconciliation when Schreiner helped look after him in Matjesfontein when he had typhoid. After the mid 1870s, there is then something of a gap in the letters until the late 1880s, with Schreiner then arranging for Ettie to meet W.T. Stead in London (which they did, and became firm friends in particular around religious matters and a shared conviction about the material reality of spiritual experiences). Schreiner’s return to South Africa at the end of 1889 included the plan that she and Ettie would live together at Vischoek, but this failed to work out because Schreiner’s asthma became so debilitating that she had to leave.
The later letters contain many ongoing exhortations from Olive to Ettie to rest, not to over-exert herself, to care for her health, passing on health tips and advice with the knowledge that, like their father Gottlob, ‘we Schreiners’ were destined to break down from heart problems at a relatively young age. Then as Ettie began to die from the heart disease that was Gottlob’s legacy to his children, there is much on physical suffering and death as an eventual beautiful release from pain. Ettie provided Olive with a strong link to her childhood, to ‘my old Ettie of Witteberg’ and the sister with the golden hair, and there are also increasingly frequent slips of the pen between the dying Ettie and the much loved little sister Ellie who had died. In these many last letters - in the sense that Schreiner never knew which one would actually be the last one - there are many loving reassurances and affection in most letters, of a ‘you don’t know how beautiful and sweet you are to me’ kind, and also invoking Ettie as the one who has always cared for everyone else and all that she has done for so many other people. In spite of the differences between them, Schreiner’s deep love for ‘darling Et’ is undoubted, together with their shared commitment to the ‘native question’ and cause and also their belief - albeit with a very different basis for each of them - that ‘one is only happy when one is doing one’s life’s work ’.
There is quite a lot about Schreiner’s writing in her letters to Ettie, concerning both the process (stories appearing to her) and also that the mindless exertion of domestic labour (which Schreiner always participated in and never delegated to servants) killing out her ability to write. There is also much about domestic life, cleaning and cooking, the daily round of Schreiner’s later life before leaving South Africa at the end of 1913. They feature too Schreiner’s battle between the pushes and pulls of personal life and impersonal work, as for example in a 4 February 1893 letter on the eventual dying out of self (and implicitly, its replacement with the ‘one’ which figures large in Schreiner’s letter-writing). In addition, they contain speaking invocations of silences, of what can/not be spoken of and written about, with such comments as ‘You know how I love you though I never speak’, ‘One’s heart is really broken though one goes on living so calmly’ and ‘better one should carry much silent to ones grave’, while around the rift with Theo, in February 1909 there is ‘Please don’t compel me to talk of things I would rather leave unspoken of’.
The letters which Schreiner wrote to the dying Ettie in 1911 and 1912 are mainly short, frequently written, with their contents concerned with Ettie’s rapidly declining health, and they make many practical suggestions (a flannel band around the chest, a bedroom fireplace, honey, oysters, brawn, pigeon minced on Bath Oliver biscuits, buchu tea) which might help Ettie be more comfortable and to eat. In April-June 1912 they take on almost incantatory nature, with their frequent similar phrasings of ‘my darling, I am thinking so much of you, you who have done so much to help others, now so weak and suffering’, with Schreiner writing that writing these letters helped her to ‘feel a little nearer you’. The 1912 letters are particularly interesting with regard to ‘letterness’ and seem to be a distinctive type of letter: they do not require or want a reply (Schreiner insists that Ettie is not to try to write); they are not about the exchange of news or keeping in touch (they are a sign from Olive to Ettie of her ongoing love for her); and they are not a correspondence (but rather Olive sending out almost daily messages of love).
For further information see:
Ruth First & Ann Scott (1980) Olive Schreiner, A Biography London: Andre Deutsch
J.C. Quinton in collaboration with B. Conradie (1981) ‘Stakesby Lewis, Henrietta Rebecca (Het, Ettie)’ in (ed) C.J. Beyers Dictionary of South African Biography Vol IV Pretoria: Human Sciences Research Council, pp. 600 - 601
Karel Schoeman (1989) Olive Schreiner: A Woman in South Africa 1855-1881 Johannesburg: Jonathan Ball

SCCS Edited Extracts: Four groups of edited extracts from Olive Schreiner's letters can be accessed from here, made by her estranged husband Cronwr... Show/Hide Collection Letters
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Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/2:My own sister!, I am sitting in my little room at Hertzog, at home at last. I arrived here yes the day before yesterday with ...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/3:My dear old Sis, It is Sunday morning & all the folks have gone to church except Katie & Georgie so I shall have a ni...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/5:Colesberg, 1874, My dear old Sissie!, I have no time to do more than write & thank you for the very beautiful photo as Ge...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/9:My dear old Ettie, I leave £1. 11/6 is for the rest of the rent & t there is the 5/- I got from you the other day I ...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/10:My darling old Sister, I had a letter from Stead this morning saying he would certainly come & see you this morning if at...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/12:Sunday afternoon, My darling old Ettie., I am so glad to think you are going to see Mrs Brown. You must write & tell me j...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/13:My dear old Ettie, Please be sure & let me know whether you have been able to get the rooms at Vis-chhoek., I am able to ...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/14:My beautiful old sister,, I have taken my passage in the Norham castle which sails on the 11th of October. Please take the ro...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/15:Darling, the likeness is beautiful my-old-little-girl-Ettie-sister of Witterberg it looks like., I am going to come out one d...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/17:Cape Town, Thursday, Darling Et,, I know you will be glad to know I am quite well here. Of course weak, but all right., Splen...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/18:Ceres, Monday afternoon, I send you a letter from Alice as there is a message from for you. I have not yet an answer from Dr ...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/19:Sunday afternoon, My old Ettie,, I enclose mother’s last telegram to me: that settles the question. Please return it. T...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/20:Grahamstown, Wednesday, My Ettie., How strangely unlike anything we had planned all is turning out. Here I am at Lillies. We ...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/21:Mount Vernon, Cape Town , Dec 27th 1889., Dear Ettie,, I send you mother’s letter to me as there are messages to you. I...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/22:Matjesfontein, May 6 / 90, My darling old Sister, Do drop me a line to say you are in Worcester & how you are. My beautif...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/23:57 Grove Street , July 16 / 91, My darling sister, I was so glad to get your letter this morning. Your joy makes me very happ...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/24:Matjesfontein, April 23 / 92, My own old sister, It’s so long since I had any news from you. How are you? Where are you...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/25:Matjesfontein, April 28 / 92, My old Ettie, It does seem so long since I heard news of you. But if you were ill I should hear...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/26:Matjesfontein, My darling sister, I so prize even a word from you. I am glad you have found a place that suits you better, &...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/27:Middelburg., Feb 4 / 93., Dear old Ellie,, My own darling. How I long to see you. I hope it is beautiful for you to be out he...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/31:Amalfi, March 18 / 97, My darling old sis, I’ve had asthma ever since I got to England, & its worse since we came o...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/32:The Homestead, Jan 16 / 98, My darling, It was such a joy to see you though just for a minute, but you looked so utterly tire...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/33:My own old Ettie, You are always in my thoughts. I was so glad to get Etta Leuw’s reply address to my wire. I feel so a...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/34:My darling Ettie, Your letter & mine have crossed. Ah, yes, my dear one, I know that awful worry when one is gone, the th...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/35:June 26th 1898, Darling, I am, in a way, glad you are going to Robertson for a little while. I know so well that longing to b...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/37:My darling old Sister, I am often with you in thought but write to no one any more. Give my love to dear old Theo if you see ...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/38:Dounan’s House, Hospital Hill, Nov – 16 / 98, Darling old Ettie, I hope very much some day you will come up here....
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/39:Lyndall, Newlands, Cape Town, Nov 22 / 99, Darling old Ettie, Do drop me a line to tell me how Mother’s heath is & ...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/40:Hanover, Sunday morning, My darling, I hardly know whether I am sorry about your accident because I believe that some such th...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/42:Thursday night, My darling Ettie, I am haunted by the feeling mother is going to die, & oh I must see her just once for a...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/43:Thursday afternoon, My darling, Your note has just come. Mother did not sleep at all last night & of course I did not lea...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/45:Hanover, Sunday night, Sep 1st 1901, My darling old sister, I have had no news from Grahamstown since the note I got from you...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/49:Xmas Morning., My darling old sister,, I hope you are feeling really better. It is so delightful to me that the dear little m...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/50:Hanover, July 6th 1902, Darling Ettie, I hope by this time you are safe in Johannesburg. I’m sure the change will do yo...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/51:Private for yourself alone, Hanover, Sep 15th 1902, My darling old Ettie, Oh I have thought of you & hungered for you dur...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/53:Hanover, Dec 31st 1902, Darling,, I am sending you the money for the wire to Mrs Austin. Thank you so much., Please ask John ...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/54:Hanover, Saturday, My own darling, I wonder how your teeth are. If only you were living somewhere near me, so that I could se...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/55:My own darling, I have just got your letter. Is the name of the people Smyth? Oh my darling I know what that tiredness is. Th...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/57:Hanover, March 10 / 03, My darling old Sister, I am feeling a little anxious about your knee. Is it quite well. Don’t t...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/59:Hanover, Je 23 / 03, My darling, Thankyou for your beautiful letter., As to mothers trap; they may not be in Cape Town becaus...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/61:P.O. Uitkyk, Aug 6 / 03, My darling old Ettie, Tomorrow will be your birthday. I shall think of you. I felt the first day I c...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/62:From Olive, To Lewis, Highlands, Gardens, Cape Town, Except wire of last Friday have heard nothing from you and Will letters ...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/63:Hanover, Friday, My darling Ettie, I sent you a wire this morning telling you I had had no news from you or Will or any one i...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/64:Hanover, Sep 14th 1903, Monday night, My darling, I got today your note of Saturday today dear. I can’t make out from i...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/65:Thursday night, My darling Ettie,, Thank you for your letter. I haven’t written before because my heart seems to get so...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/66:Hanover, Oct 4 / 03, It is one month today since the little mother rested. , How are you, my dear one, & are you well? I’...
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 ...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/68:Hanover, Oct 18 / 03, My darling, I can’t come just now. I will try to come a few weeks later. When does Effie expect h...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/69:Hanover, Oct 22nd 1903, Darling, I’m so glad you had that good meeting. I know how it strengthens one when you have fel...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/70:Thursday night, My darling, I got back here today, an hour or two ago. One has to have been away to know how fearful this hot...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/71:Nov 12 / 03, My darling, I am so sorry about the sweet old eyes. You know when I was in Town I didn’t like the look of ...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/72:My darling, Theo tells me you are writing on the native question. Do take care what you write, my darling. Remember it is not...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/73:My darling Thanks for your letter. What a splendid victory you had. Not one license given! I rejoice so with you. , It seems ...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/74:Hanover, Jan 15th 1904, My darling Ettie, Thank you for your letter dear. In a way I am better., If I should wire for the nur...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/76:Hanover, Feb 27 / 04, My darling, I got your letter the books & then parcel just after I had posted my note to you, I am ...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/77:PO Uitkyk, Fraserburg Rd, My darling Ettie, You don’t know how beautiful & sweet you seem to me dear one & what...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/78:Hanover , Jan 20 / 04, My darling, I am feeling so anxious about you. You looked so unwell when I was in town. I am sure our ...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/79:Hanover, June 22nd 1904, Darling Sister , Let me know exactly what your plans are. I will try & go with you any time if t...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/81:Hanover, Aug 1st 1904, My darling old Etty , The 7th will be your birthday. I hope you will be spending it at Leuwrivier Mill...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/91:Hotel Milner, Matjesfontein, Dec 20th 1906, My old Darling, How my thoughts are continually turning to you you don’t kn...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/92:Dear,, Have you still got your old copy of Mrs Segurneys (I don’t know how her name is spelt) poems? If you have could ...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/93:Hanover, Jan 29th 1907, My own old Ettie, How my heart is with you in this awful, the most awful of all sorrows on earth whic...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/94:Eastbergholt, Tambour’s Kloof Rd, Sunday morning, My darling, I was so sorry I couldn’t come to the meeting it wa...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/95:My own Ellie, It was strange I got your letter this morning: last night as I was walking up & down the room I kept thinki...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/97:My darling, I did not go to the Burial Ground today as I had your letter. I will meet you at the station tomorrow on Sunday a...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/98:My darling, I can think of absolutely nothing but you all my life it has seemed to me that the most terrible thing that can b...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/101:Thursday night, My darling, I thought you looking so ill yesterday when I first came. You really must have rest. I know when ...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/102:Tuesday, My darling, Theo seems much better this morning. He is reading the news paper The coloured woman sat up with him, &...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/103:Monday night, My darling., I do hope you y will come on Friday. It will be beautiful to see you. I am not sitting up with The...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/104:Matjesfontein, Feb 9 7th 1909, Thursday, Darling, Just a line. I thought Kate wrote daily or I would have sent a line yesterd...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/105:Monday, Theo is getting on splendidly next Saturday will be the 21st day. I don’t know if the doctor will let him get u...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/106:My dear One, I do hope you will come. I don’t think the little cottage has the out look you would like it’s quiet...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/107:Private Sunday, Dear I think we should on no account wish for a "referendum" now. There would be a vast majority in favour of...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/108:De Aar, July 21st 1909, My darling Ettie, I hope you are getting on well with your work. I told Dr ?Simmington when he & ...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/109:c/o Dr Purcell, York House, Muizenburg, Tuesday, My darling, I have just got your letter. If I’d got it in time, I woul...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/110:De Aar, April 16th 1910, My darling, Since last night I have been thinking so much of you. I do hope you have a little more e...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/112:De Aar, Thursday, My darling, I’ve been so ill since I came here I could not write. Last night we had a little thunder ...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/117:2 Primrose Terrace, Berea Estate, Johannesburg, Wednes-day, My dear old Ettie, Your likenesses made me sad. I do hope my darl...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/119:De Aar, May 5th 1911, My own darling, I have just read your letter. Of all the letters I have had about my book it has been t...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/120:My darling, Thank you so much for your letter. It would be splendid if I could go to Blamb Blauwberg for the summer, for I ha...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/121:Hotel Alexandra, Muizenberg, Tuesday morning, My darling, Somehow I’m feeling so much happier about you since we were t...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/122:Hotel Alexandra, Muizenberg, March 1912, My own darling, I am so grateful to hear that Hugh Smith was able to give you a litt...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/123:Monday, My darling Ettie, I have not written before as I’ve not been well; & I am waiting for Hugh Smith’s an...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/124:Milnerton, Wednesday ?evening, I got here my darling this afternoon. It is so nice to feel I am near you at least as far as s...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/125:Thursday night, Darling, I haven’t written because every day I’ve been hoping I would be able to walk up to the H...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/126:My old Ettie, I’m thinking of you all the time, beloved. Do try to get strong: you are in a state of the most extreme m...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/127:My darling, I lay awake in the night thinking so much of you, & all the terrible suffering. When I look at your dear hand...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/128:Villa Flandre, Newlands, My own darling, Oh how strange it seems to be so near you & not able to get to you., Its all bee...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/129:Alexandra Hotel, Muizenberg, Tuesday, My own darling, This is the letter I have got from Hugh Smith He has for fell forgotten...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/130:De Aar, Saturday morning, My own Ettie, I am sitting n my room with a cold rain falling outside but a big bright fire burning...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/131:My Ettie,, I am always with you though my body is here. I enclose you a little message from Cron. If I could only bring a lit...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/132:De Aar, Tues-day, My darling,, I do wish I knew just how you are this morning., I am always seeing my old Ettie, my Ettie of ...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/133:Tuesday morning, My own sweet Darling, Never for one moment are you out of my thoughts. Not only you suffering there, but my ...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/134:Monday, My own sweet Ettie, I have just heard from Mr Mushett of you that the terrible pain goes on & the rubbing didn’...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/135:My Ettie,, Don’t trouble to answer my notes. I just feel a little nearer you when I am writing to you. I hope so much t...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/136:Friday night, My own Ettie, Who was always so good to me & helped me when there was no one else to help me. Do you rememb...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/137:De Aar, Sunday, My darling, Just after I wrote I got a long letter from Will telling me about you. He thinks the ?drawing roo...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/138:De Aar, April 21st 1912, My darling, It was good to see the sweet old handwriting again I went down to the station to see Joh...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/140:Wednesday, My darling, It is so distressing to me that those dear, strong, beautiful old legs are so swollen. But beloved, if...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/141:Sunday night, My darling, I’ve not had you once out of my thoughts today. I feel so anxious I suppose because its some ...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/142:De Aar, Thursday night, Darling, I heard from Fan to-day that if possible our old Will & Bill were going out to see you. ...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/143:De Aar, Tuesday, My darling, I hope I shall get news tomorrow, saying if the doctor did come out on Sunday & if he was ab...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/144:Sunday night, Darling I’ve been looking out a far off & yet so near Blauwberg this afternoon. I am always thinking ...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/146:Darling, I am always with you in though, my sweet old Ellie I think its best for you to be quiet; but you must take a little ...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/147:Sunday morning, My own darling, Oh if the doctors medicines have given you a little ease! If Your sufferings are too awful yo...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/148:Monday, My darling , I am so glad to hear from Mr Muskett this morning that the sour milk seems doing you good., There’...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/149:My darling Ettie, Isn’t sad about poor old Katie. I always felt perfectly sure it was some physical disease which gave ...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/150:De Aar, May 24 / 12, My darling, It seems long since I had any news of you I have been hoping Will might write a line to tell...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/151:Monday, My darling, I am feeling so anxious about you. Oh my dear old Ettie, that you should have to suffer so fearfully. If ...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/152:De Aar, Sunday, My darling, I am longing so for news of you, to hear how the oysters suited you, & to hear how the firepl...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/153:De Aar , Tuesday, My darling, Thank you for your dear letters. I can’t make out how the man has been so long putting th...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/154:Thursday Friday, My darling,, I felt so depressed all day yesterday for no reason I could think of, I’d a feeling you w...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/156:De Aar, Thursday, So anxious to know how you get on in your room my darling now there is a fire & with the linoleum on th...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/182:Hanover, Saturday, My darling Ettie, I have been very ill since I came here. Will you please find out a nurse & have her ...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/183:Darling, I came – I couldn’t wait longer without seeing you. But Mr James tell me you are in town & won’...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/184:Do you remember that dear old fr half daft nigger who used to be here, Jolie? He was always so good & did little jobs for...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/185:[page/s missing], 3, The bit I mark about Fred would perhaps make you feel why how his conduct of late years affected Will &...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/187:[page/s missing], 2, office for him to order the oysters., When I got back here I was saying how much you needed someone to h...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/189:Darling I had such a funny feeling when you left the other evening that I must run after you, that perhaps we would never see...
Olive Schreiner BC16/Box1/Fold2/1895/3:The Homestead, Ap May 16 / 95, My darling old Ettie,, I am sending you three pictures of my little one. When you have looked ...
Olive Schreiner BC16/Box3/Fold1/1902/34:Hanover, Dec 24th 1902, My own darling, I am so glad Effie has got that house so near to you. Not only for her sweet little s...

Cory Library, Rhodes University: The Cory Library, Grahamstown, is a rich resource for books and archival papers pertaining in particular to the history of th... Show/Hide Collection Letters
General Missionary Commission, Folder 25: Letters to Mr. J. Henderson MS 14, 847/3:De Aar, June 28th 1912, Dear Sir, I deeply regret you have not got the returns One was sent to Mrs Sprigg, one to Rev Canon M...
Cullen Library, Historical Papers, University of Witwatersrand: Historical Papers in the Cullen Library is a leading location for accessing archival papers across many periods, organisation... Show/Hide Collection Letters
Findlay Family A1199/1088:New Rush,, Feb. 7th 1873, My dearest Katie, I was so glad when yesterday's post brought me your long looked for letter, many ...
Findlay Family A1199/1098:Dordrecht, April 6th 1872, My dearest Katie!, Its a long time since I last wrote to you; but I fancy I am right in thinking t...
Findlay Family A1199/1124:Hertzog, August 18th 1872, My dearest Katie!, You must not expect a long letter from me to day, as I have a bad head ache., I...
Findlay Family A1199/1149:New Rush, December 24th 1872, My dearest Katie!, I had only time to send you such a line before I left Hertzog but I must try...
Findlay Family A1199/1153:New Rush, Jan 1st 1873, My dearest Katie!, I have just got your kind letter for which many thanks. I've only time to day for ...
Findlay Family A1199/1166:New Rush, March 24th 1873., My dearest Katie!, Many thanks for the letter, which last post brought me. I was very sorry to he...
Findlay Family A1199/1180:New Rush, April 30th 1873, My dearest Katie, I have just received your kind letter & the very nice little book for both o...
Findlay Family A1199/1209:Hertzog, April 8th 1874, My dearest Katie!, I must thank you for your kind letter received last week. I was glad to hear that...
Findlay Family A1199/1221:Colesberg, June 28th 1874, My dearest Katie!, It is some time since I heard from you & I think you are two letters in my ...
Findlay Family A1199/1254:Ganna Hoek, April 28th 1875, My dearest Katie!, Your kind letter has just reached me & I must thank you for it at once. I...
Findlay Family A1199/3709:The Homestead, Kimberley, Dec 3rd 1897, Dear John Findlay, Your truly inexplicable & astonishing letter was forwarded to ...
Humanities Research Center, University of Texas at Austin: The HRC, Austin, is one of the world leading locations for archival papers pertaining to literary life and manuscripts across... Show/Hide Collection Letters
HRC/CAT/OS/1a-xx:Sunday Morning. , I am so sorry you have been ill. You & I seem to have had the same thing. It’s very funny. On Wed...
HRC/CAT/OS/1b-vi:Monday Night , I am so tired. I did not go to to sleep till the dawn light was shining strong in my windows last night. this ...
HRC/CAT/OS/3a-xxi:[page/s missing], I don’t know what her relationship to Frank was. I know that Ettie was in my mind when I drew her, &...
HRC/CAT/OS/3a-xi:Wednesday Eve , This afternoon my sister-in-law was here. , Thank I got your letter just after she was gone. Thank you. Some ...
HRC/CAT/OS/3b-xxiv:Monday Night , I don’t know how it is I keep wanting to press my feet together, I won’t give way to the feeling, ...
HRC/UNCAT/OS-25:[page/s missing], husband were great likers of S.A.F. & would like to call, but I wasn’t able to see her yesterday....
HRC/UNCAT/OS-90:Southbourne , Thursday , Havelock, I’ve been working such a lot today. My landlady is going to make me pay five or six ...
HRC/CAT/OS/4a-x:Monday, I so sorry you have to go to Foulgers. Wanted to meet you at National at four, because if I go out early my whole day...
HRC/UNCAT/OS-129:My Havelock, I am better this morning with the thought of coming to Paris. I leave this by the train that starts at 11.25 am ...
HRC/UNCAT/OS-131:Knap Hill, Wednesday. , I don’t know when anyone has seemed to be as vividly present to me as you were on Monday night....
HRC/CAT/OS-4b-xx:[page/s missing], I can’t write about myself to you my loved old Harry. You don’t understand me any more nor the ...
HRC/CAT/OS-4b-xiv:My Havelock , Next week I hope to be at Matjesfontein & I shall have heard of your arrival in Paris. If you like I will k...
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...
National Archives Depot, Pretoria: The National Archives Depot is Pretoria is a leading location for archival papers across a wide time-period, organisations an... Show/Hide Collection Letters
Smuts A1/192/89:de Aar, June 5th 1909, Dear Isie,, Thank you so much for the book of Kaffir-stories you sent me. I would like to write you a ...
Smuts A1/194/9/66:de Aar, Sep 25th 1911, Dear Isie , Thank you so much for your letter. , I gave a letter of introduction to you to Dr. Jacobs ...
T120 (M722): W.T. Stead Papers/20- pages 107-110 & 215-16:Private, Middelburg, Feb 19 / 93., Dear Friend, Thank you for your letter., I shall be home by the 2nd week in May. Yes, I ho...
National English Literary Museum, Grahamstown: The National English Literary Museum is the leading location for collections pertaining to the imaginative and creative writi... Show/Hide Collection Letters
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...
Olive Schreiner: Mimmie Murray 2001.24/19:Dear Mrs Murray, I was so glad to get your letter this morning. , I've not sent your letter to Miss Hyett waiting to write to...
Olive Schreiner: Mimmie Murray 2001.24/33:De Aar, July 6th 1912 , Dear Mrs Murray, It seems so long since I had any news of you all., My sister Ettie passed away after...
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 ...
Olive Schreiner: Mimmie Murray 2001.24/63:De Aar, Tuesday , Darling Friend, How sweet of you to think of me so. The reason why I have not written is that I wanted to w...
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...
SCCS Edited Extracts: Four groups of edited extracts from Olive Schreiner's letters can be accessed from here, made by her estranged husband Cronwr... Show/Hide Collection Letters
Olive Schreiner: Extracts of Letters to Cronwright-Schreiner MSC 26/2.16/35:…Yes, George Sand was an infinitely greater er woman than George Eliot, but not so finished an artist. Just as I think ...
Olive Schreiner: Extracts of Letters to Cronwright-Schreiner MSC 26/2.16/90:…Ettie writes me that mother is very sinking & weak. Every note the little mother writes is about you coming & ...
Olive Schreiner: Extracts of Letters to Cronwright-Schreiner MSC 26/2.16/134:…all last week I was so ill that on Thursday I wrote to Ettie to be ready to send me a nurse from Cape Town if I wired ...
Olive Schreiner: Extracts of Letters to Cronwright-Schreiner MSC 26/2.16/170:…At Cookhouse we found Mrs Alcot & her daughter waiting for us; they had come over from Bedford to meet us… A...
Olive Schreiner: Extracts of Letters to Cronwright-Schreiner MSC 26/2.16/171:…My husband, we left Bedford on Thursday afternoon in a strange old buck-waggon with a little tent at the back. We have...
Olive Schreiner: Extracts of Letters to Cronwright-Schreiner MSC 26/2.16/173:…We arrived here at dawn this morning… The saloon carriage which Will has arranged to meet us here will not arriv...
Olive Schreiner: Extracts of Letters to Cronwright-Schreiner MSC 26/2.16/181:…Ettie is to come to see me at 8 o’clock & tell me all the full arrangements for the funeral on Friday…...
Olive Schreiner: Extracts of Letters to Cronwright-Schreiner MSC 26/2.16/182:…Thank you my husband for the letter I got this morning. It made all the day seem lighter… Sweet little Neta is o...
Olive Schreiner: Extracts of Letters to Cronwright-Schreiner MSC 26/2.16/250:…I’ve had such a happy day, dear. This morning Ollie & I went for a walk on to the top of the big flat-topped...
Olive Schreiner: Extracts of Letters to Cronwright-Schreiner MSC 26/2.16/336:…The little boy came last night… seems never out of my mind. Poor old Ettie… Didn’t Oliver do well…...
National Library of South Africa, Cape Town: Special Collections at the NLSA provide one of the leading locations for archival papers across many periods, organisations a... Show/Hide Collection Letters
Olive Schreiner: Katie Findlay MSC 26/2.14.1:Colesberg, Aug 20th 1874, My dearest Katie!, I was very glad when your long silence was at last broken by the letter which I ...
Olive Schreiner: Katie Findlay MSC 26/2.14.2:Colesberg, Feb 19th 1875, My dearest Katie!, I must write to thank you for the money you have so kindly lent me. It was very ...
Olive Schreiner: Katie Findlay MSC 26/2.14.4:Ganna Hoek, June 27th 1875, My dearest Katie, It is a bitterly cold evening & my hands are quite stiff with the cold but ...
Olive Schreiner: Katie Findlay MSC 26/2.14.6:Ganna Hoek, Nov 2nd 1875, My dear Katie!, I was indeed beginning to fancy that I should never hear of or from you again &...
Olive Schreiner: Katie Findlay MSC 26/1.14.20:Lilys Kloof, Jan 5 / 81., My dear Sister, I was glad when this afternoon’s post brought me a letter from you. Leading t...
Olive Schreiner: Katie Findlay MSC 26/2.14.29:Matjesfontein, My dear Sister , I fear I am a very bad correspondent but I have so much writing to do that I hate to write a ...
Olive Schreiner: Mary Sauer MSC 26/2.11.39:Matjesfontein , Dear Mary, I'm so glad you are coming Mr Logan say charge will be £1 per day for all included (except wi...
Olive Schreiner: Mary Sauer MSC 26/2.11.42:Darling Mary,, Don't expect me on 14th. Am not coming., I hope your sister is quite well now. Wish I had seen her when she we...
Olive Schreiner: Mary Sauer MSC 26/2.11.91:May 28 / 95, My darling Mary , I am getting on all right & hope next week to be back at my work. That's all I want I don'...
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...
E.L. Earp MSC 47/1.17/11:Dear Emma, Please send the enclosed card to Ely. I've forgotten her address., I hear your Olive is engaged. Is it true? I hop...
Sheffield City Libraries, Archives & Local Studies: Edward Carpenter Collection, Archives & Local Studies, Sheffield City Libraries: The Edward Carpenter Collection is held ... Show/Hide Collection Letters
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 ...
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...
University of Cape Town, Historical Manuscripts: Manuscripts & Archives at the University of Cape Town is a leading location for accessing archival papers across many per... Show/Hide Collection Letters
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/2:My own sister!, I am sitting in my little room at Hertzog, at home at last. I arrived here yes the day before yesterday with ...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/9:My dear old Ettie, I leave £1. 11/6 is for the rest of the rent & t there is the 5/- I got from you the other day I ...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/10:My darling old Sister, I had a letter from Stead this morning saying he would certainly come & see you this morning if at...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/12:Sunday afternoon, My darling old Ettie., I am so glad to think you are going to see Mrs Brown. You must write & tell me j...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/13:My dear old Ettie, Please be sure & let me know whether you have been able to get the rooms at Vis-chhoek., I am able to ...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/15:Darling, the likeness is beautiful my-old-little-girl-Ettie-sister of Witterberg it looks like., I am going to come out one d...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/17:Cape Town, Thursday, Darling Et,, I know you will be glad to know I am quite well here. Of course weak, but all right., Splen...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/19:Sunday afternoon, My old Ettie,, I enclose mother’s last telegram to me: that settles the question. Please return it. T...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/20:Grahamstown, Wednesday, My Ettie., How strangely unlike anything we had planned all is turning out. Here I am at Lillies. We ...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/21:Mount Vernon, Cape Town , Dec 27th 1889., Dear Ettie,, I send you mother’s letter to me as there are messages to you. I...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/24:Matjesfontein, April 23 / 92, My own old sister, It’s so long since I had any news from you. How are you? Where are you...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/25:Matjesfontein, April 28 / 92, My old Ettie, It does seem so long since I heard news of you. But if you were ill I should hear...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/26:Matjesfontein, My darling sister, I so prize even a word from you. I am glad you have found a place that suits you better, &...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/27:Middelburg., Feb 4 / 93., Dear old Ellie,, My own darling. How I long to see you. I hope it is beautiful for you to be out he...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/33:My own old Ettie, You are always in my thoughts. I was so glad to get Etta Leuw’s reply address to my wire. I feel so a...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/34:My darling Ettie, Your letter & mine have crossed. Ah, yes, my dear one, I know that awful worry when one is gone, the th...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/37:My darling old Sister, I am often with you in thought but write to no one any more. Give my love to dear old Theo if you see ...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/38:Dounan’s House, Hospital Hill, Nov – 16 / 98, Darling old Ettie, I hope very much some day you will come up here....
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/39:Lyndall, Newlands, Cape Town, Nov 22 / 99, Darling old Ettie, Do drop me a line to tell me how Mother’s heath is & ...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/41:My dear Wynnie, Thank you so much for your letter which I got this morning. I am so glad to hear the little mother goes on we...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/42:Thursday night, My darling Ettie, I am haunted by the feeling mother is going to die, & oh I must see her just once for a...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/44:Hanover, Friday, Darling Effie , I know mother is much to busy to write so drop me a line to tell me how Granny is. Did you a...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/46:Saturday, Dear Effie, I send with this the PO order I forgot to put in last time. Please write a line at once dear & tell...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/48:Hanover, Friday night, Darling Effie,, I suppose mother leaves Cape Town tomorrow for Grahamstown & that the week after n...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/50:Hanover, July 6th 1902, Darling Ettie, I hope by this time you are safe in Johannesburg. I’m sure the change will do yo...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/51:Private for yourself alone, Hanover, Sep 15th 1902, My darling old Ettie, Oh I have thought of you & hungered for you dur...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/55:My own darling, I have just got your letter. Is the name of the people Smyth? Oh my darling I know what that tiredness is. Th...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/61:P.O. Uitkyk, Aug 6 / 03, My darling old Ettie, Tomorrow will be your birthday. I shall think of you. I felt the first day I c...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/62:From Olive, To Lewis, Highlands, Gardens, Cape Town, Except wire of last Friday have heard nothing from you and Will letters ...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/63:Hanover, Friday, My darling Ettie, I sent you a wire this morning telling you I had had no news from you or Will or any one i...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/65:Thursday night, My darling Ettie,, Thank you for your letter. I haven’t written before because my heart seems to get so...
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 ...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/71:Nov 12 / 03, My darling, I am so sorry about the sweet old eyes. You know when I was in Town I didn’t like the look of ...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/74:Hanover, Jan 15th 1904, My darling Ettie, Thank you for your letter dear. In a way I am better., If I should wire for the nur...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/77:PO Uitkyk, Fraserburg Rd, My darling Ettie, You don’t know how beautiful & sweet you seem to me dear one & what...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/80:Hanover, July 1st 1904, Darling Effie, I feel so anxious about Guy from Aunt Het’s letter got today. Do drop me a line ...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/81:Hanover, Aug 1st 1904, My darling old Etty , The 7th will be your birthday. I hope you will be spending it at Leuwrivier Mill...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/82:Bedford, Saturday, Darling Effie, We got here this morning all well. Aunt Het is at Mrs Alcott’s & I here at the ho...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/84:Hanover, CC, Sep 12 / 05, Darling Effie, Would you do me a great favour. I have written to ask Mrs Austin if she could kindly...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/85:Hanover, Oct 17th 1905, My dear Arthur, Do write & let me know as soon as there is any news of Effie to give me. I am thi...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/87:Hadden Hall, Aug 6 / 06, My darling Effie, I am so glad to hear things go fairly well with you. Yes, dear, I shall love to co...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/88:de Aar, I leave tomorrow for Matjesfontein, My darling Wynnie, I have just heard from Aunt Ettie that my dear old brother has...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/90:Hotel Milner, Matjesfontein, Nov 28th 1906, Darling Effie, It was a surprise to get your letter. If you are going back becaus...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/93:Hanover, Jan 29th 1907, My own old Ettie, How my heart is with you in this awful, the most awful of all sorrows on earth whic...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/95:My own Ellie, It was strange I got your letter this morning: last night as I was walking up & down the room I kept thinki...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/102:Tuesday, My darling, Theo seems much better this morning. He is reading the news paper The coloured woman sat up with him, &...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/108:De Aar, July 21st 1909, My darling Ettie, I hope you are getting on well with your work. I told Dr ?Simmington when he & ...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/111:Dear Effie, I do hope little Robert shows some sign of improvement. Can the doctor say definitely what he thinks is the matte...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/117:2 Primrose Terrace, Berea Estate, Johannesburg, Wednes-day, My dear old Ettie, Your likenesses made me sad. I do hope my darl...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/118:Alexandra Hotel, Muizenberg, Wednesday 191, Dear Wynnie, Thank you so much for your letter. I am posting a letter to Aunt Het...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/123:Monday, My darling Ettie, I have not written before as I’ve not been well; & I am waiting for Hugh Smith’s an...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/126:My old Ettie, I’m thinking of you all the time, beloved. Do try to get strong: you are in a state of the most extreme m...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/128:Villa Flandre, Newlands, My own darling, Oh how strange it seems to be so near you & not able to get to you., Its all bee...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/130:De Aar, Saturday morning, My own Ettie, I am sitting n my room with a cold rain falling outside but a big bright fire burning...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/131:My Ettie,, I am always with you though my body is here. I enclose you a little message from Cron. If I could only bring a lit...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/132:De Aar, Tues-day, My darling,, I do wish I knew just how you are this morning., I am always seeing my old Ettie, my Ettie of ...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/133:Tuesday morning, My own sweet Darling, Never for one moment are you out of my thoughts. Not only you suffering there, but my ...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/134:Monday, My own sweet Ettie, I have just heard from Mr Mushett of you that the terrible pain goes on & the rubbing didn’...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/135:My Ettie,, Don’t trouble to answer my notes. I just feel a little nearer you when I am writing to you. I hope so much t...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/136:Friday night, My own Ettie, Who was always so good to me & helped me when there was no one else to help me. Do you rememb...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/138:De Aar, April 21st 1912, My darling, It was good to see the sweet old handwriting again I went down to the station to see Joh...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/141:Sunday night, My darling, I’ve not had you once out of my thoughts today. I feel so anxious I suppose because its some ...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/142:De Aar, Thursday night, Darling, I heard from Fan to-day that if possible our old Will & Bill were going out to see you. ...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/146:Darling, I am always with you in though, my sweet old Ellie I think its best for you to be quiet; but you must take a little ...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/147:Sunday morning, My own darling, Oh if the doctors medicines have given you a little ease! If Your sufferings are too awful yo...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/149:My darling Ettie, Isn’t sad about poor old Katie. I always felt perfectly sure it was some physical disease which gave ...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/151:Monday, My darling, I am feeling so anxious about you. Oh my dear old Ettie, that you should have to suffer so fearfully. If ...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/155:De Aar, Aug 24th 1912, Dear Wynnie,, I’ve just got a wire to say my dear little Dora Cawood passed away peacefully yest...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/156:De Aar, Thursday, So anxious to know how you get on in your room my darling now there is a fire & with the linoleum on th...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/164:Kensington Palace Mansions, De Vere Gardens, W., Telephone: 3675 Kensington. Telegrams: Apartment, London. , Xmas Day, Wynne,...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/168:London, June 13th 1918, My darling Wynne, Thank you for your letter. How I wish I could see you I don’t often see Uncle...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/169:Dec 21st 1918, (I can’t be a merry Xmas to any of us), Wynnie, This is an awful blow that has fallen on you, my dear, d...
Schreiner-Hemming Family BC 1080 A1.7/182:Hanover, Saturday, My darling Ettie, I have been very ill since I came here. Will you please find out a nurse & have her ...
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...
Olive Schreiner BC16/Box1/Fold1/1889/8:Ceres, Nov 16 / 89., Dear Will,, It was very good to get to know your wife & children. They are more to me that I could h...
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...
Olive Schreiner BC16/Box1/Fold1/1891/6:Do let me know when Fan leaves for Grahamstown. Should like if possible to make arrangements to go same time. Can’t if ...
Olive Schreiner BC16/Box1/Fold1/1891/8:Matjesfontein, Monday , My dear Fan , The boy is flourishing. He & Sydney have got a shop this afternoon, & I am cust...
Olive Schreiner BC16/Box1/Fold2/1893/3:Middelburg , Sunday , I shall be here till next Thursday when Het I hope arrives at Middelburg Rd Station & I meet her &...
Olive Schreiner BC16/Box1/Fold2/1893/4:Middelburg , Sunday , Dear Fan, Thanks much for card. It’s very good of you to want to have me; but I don’t think...
Olive Schreiner BC16/Box1/Fold2/1894/2:Middelburg , Feb 20 / 94, My dear old Man, Thank you, I have your letter, & Fred’s cheque. I shall return the £...
Olive Schreiner BC16/Box1/Fold2/1895/3:The Homestead, Ap May 16 / 95, My darling old Ettie,, I am sending you three pictures of my little one. When you have looked ...
Olive Schreiner BC16/Box1/Fold2/1895/7:Matjesfontein, Monday night, Dear Laddie, It’s been a bitter disappointment to me not be with you all even for the one ...
Olive Schreiner BC16/Box1/Fold3/1896/13:April 22 / 96, Dear Laddie, I am just sick with fear at what mother & Lilly will say both of & to me when they read m...
Olive Schreiner BC16/Box2/Fold1/Jan-June1899/13:Wednesday, Address Olive Schreiner Primrose Terrace, Next door to Pullingers, Berea, My own dear Friend, Please address , Oli...
Olive Schreiner BC16/Box2/Fold3/1900/43:Beaufort West , Sep 7th 1900, Dear Friend, I hear my sister Mrs Stakesby Lewis is going to England. I wish Miss Greene could ...
Olive Schreiner BC16/Box2/Fold4/1901/40:Hanover, June 17 / 01, My darling Friend, I am always thinking of you but I don’t seem able to write at all now. , Cron...
Olive Schreiner BC16/Box2/Fold4/1901/44:Address to , Hanover , Hartebeest Hoek , Wednesday , My dear old Fan, Thanks for your letter. I am so sorry about Joubert. An...
Olive Schreiner BC16/Box2/Fold4/1901/54:Dear Fan,, I was so glad to get your note & will be very glad to get the letter you write of., I was so glad mother was a...
Olive Schreiner BC16/Box2/Fold4/1901/57:Dear Fan, Let me know how Will does at his exam as soon as the lists are out. I don’t see the papers. Don’t forge...
Olive Schreiner BC16/Box3/Fold1/1902/8:Hanover, April 4 / 02, Dear Friend, I got this morning your letter. I hope you & Miss Greene are both keeping pretty well...
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...
Olive Schreiner BC16/Box3/Fold1/1902/20:Hanover , June 30 / 02, Dear old Sister, Thankyou so much for writing so quickly about the stove & taking so much trouble...
Olive Schreiner BC16/Box3/Fold1/1902/34:Hanover, Dec 24th 1902, My own darling, I am so glad Effie has got that house so near to you. Not only for her sweet little s...
Olive Schreiner BC16/Box3/Fold2/1903/12:P.O. Uitkyk, Thursday, Dear Fan, Did you get the list for Danie Theron I sent to you. Please return to me as I want to try &...
Olive Schreiner BC16/Box3/Fold2/1903/13:My darling Mothie, I am writing this is bed where I have been laid up for five days I am better & hope tomorrow to be abo...
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 ...
Olive Schreiner BC16/Box3/Fold3/1904/1:Hanover, Jan 4 / 04, Dearest Fan, I am back again & Hanover & Cron left last night on his six weeks tour. I have no o...
Olive Schreiner BC16/Box3/Fold3/1904/4:Jan 9th 1904, Darling Friend, Did you get the letter I sent with the cheque? I addressed to Kenilworth care Dr Murray. I have...
Olive Schreiner BC16/Box3/Fold3/1904/14:Hanover, June 10 / 04, Dear Fan, I took your cloak down to the station to give to Ettie who said she would be there, & wo...
Olive Schreiner BC16/Box3/Fold3/1904/20:Tuesday morning, My dear Friend, I have not written the last days as I have not been very fit the last week or ten days &...
Olive Schreiner BC16/Box3/Fold3/1904/22:Hanover, July 1st 1904, My own darling Friend, How I hope Caledon will do you good & that Miss Greene will find the baths...
Olive Schreiner BC16/Box3/Fold3/1904/36:Monday 8th 1904, Dear Friend, I am leaving this next week for Kat River with Mrs Lewis, shall be back here about the 25th &...
Olive Schreiner BC16/Box3/Fold3/1904/37:Hanover, Saturday morning, Just got your letter dear; of course I knew the matter was about the little sister. I am leaving t...
Olive Schreiner BC16/Box3/Fold3/1904/38:Hanover, Saturday, Dear Friend, I have sent a wire & also a long letter to care Barter Halesowen as you give me no addres...
Olive Schreiner BC16/Box3/Fold3/1904/39:Hanover, Aug 15 / 04, Dear Friend, I am leaving for Balfour on Tuesday next with Mrs Lewis I will meet her at the station &...
Olive Schreiner BC16/Box3/Fold3/1904/41:Bedford , Saturday morning, Darling Will, We got here at dawn this morning. Ettie has been writing fully to you so I need not...
Olive Schreiner BC16/Box3/Fold3/1904/43:Bedford, Aug 28th 1904, Dear Laddie, I hope this will reach you on the morning of what our children used to call your happy d...
Olive Schreiner BC16/Box3/Fold5/1906/21:The Hotel, De Aar, Monday 1st 1906, Dear Mrs Murray, I am going to Matjesfontein next Monday the 8th leaving this by the even...
Olive Schreiner BC16/Box3/Fold6/1907/3:Hanover, C.C., Feb 12th 1907, My dear old Man, I really haven’t known how to write to you about our lad’s not pas...
Olive Schreiner BC16/Box3/Fold6/1907/8:Hanover, April 8th 1907, My dear sweet little sister, Thank you for your letter I know how you are missing the old husband yo...
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...
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...
Olive Schreiner BC16/Box4/Fold2/1909/5:Matjesfontein, Feb 5th 1909, Dear Laddie, I have just got your wire & answered it. Theo is doing splendidly. His temperat...
Olive Schreiner BC16/Box4/Fold2/1909/7:Matjesfontein, Feb 5th 1909, My dear Fan, Theo is very well temperature 99 quite normal he only woke up once during the whole...
Olive Schreiner BC16/Box4/Fold2/1909/18:Matjesfontein, Wednesday, My dear old sister, I hope you get your glasses all right. I couldn’t anywhere find a good bo...
Olive Schreiner BC16/Box4/Fold2/1909/35:De Aar, 16 July 1909, Dear Laddie, I was glad to get your letter from Maderia, & find the voyage had been pleasant to you...
Olive Schreiner BC16/Box4/Fold3/1910/7:Wednesday afternoon, Dear Lucy, I shan’t be able to come. I’d love to be with you but I’m up to making any ...
Olive Schreiner BC16/Box4/Fold4/1911/40:De Aar 30th 1911, It’s your birthday today, dear old man, I wonder where you are spending it. I hope happily., Our girl...
Olive Schreiner BC16/Box4/Fold4/1911/43:De Aar, Sep 6th 1911, Dear Mrs Murray, It was so nice to see your handwriting again have you any news of Betty’s moveme...
Olive Schreiner BC16/Box4/Fold4/1911/44:De Aar, September 7th 1911, My dear old man I am sending you a cutting from a Jo'berg paper with a letter of dear old Cartwri...
Olive Schreiner BC16/Box4/Fold4/1911/58:Villa Flandre,, Newlands., Darling Lucy, It is too bad that I was out when you came. I have been twice out to Blauwberg to se...
Olive Schreiner BC16/Box5/Fold1/1912/4:Milnerton , Friday night, Dear old Man, I went twice to your chambers before I left Jessie Innes, but you were out both times...
Olive Schreiner BC16/Box5/Fold1/1912/6:Alexandra Hotel, Muizenberg, Private, Dear Will, I’ve been feeling very hopeful about Ettie ever since we were there. I...
Olive Schreiner BC16/Box5/Fold1/1912/14:Sunday morning , Dear old Man, Have you seen Het since I left? What does Theo think of her condition?, I enclose a cutting fr...
Olive Schreiner BC16/Box5/Fold1/1912/18:De Aar, May 8th 1912, Dear old Man , I send you a letter which I have just got from Adela for you. The doctors have discovere...
Olive Schreiner BC16/Box5/Fold1/1912/22:De Aar, May 31st 1912, My beloved Friend, I have no no news of you. I suppose Alice came & you went together to Natal, bu...
Olive Schreiner BC16/Box5/Fold1/1912/25:Tuesday, I did not get away last night. I was too tired to go I shall stay till the end of the week. Cron’s mother died...
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...
Olive Schreiner BC16/Box5/Fold2/1913/23:Dear Friends, I’m very ill. I think the end is coming, but it may be such a long end, like Etties. Oh you must be so gl...
Olive Schreiner BC16/Box5/Fold2/1913/25:My dear Laddie, I am rejoicing with you. I knew our boy would do well, but I wanted to know just what. Is the prize a medal o...
Olive Schreiner BC16/Box5/Fold2/1913/37:Thursday, Sept 12th 1913, Private, My dear old Man, It was good to see the dear old face for a moment Saturday will be a sad ...
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 ...
Olive Schreiner BC16/Box5/Fold3/1914/82:Telephone: 3675 Kensington., Telegrams: Apartment, London., Kensington Palace Mansions & Hotel, De Vere Gardens, W. , Thu...
Olive Schreiner BC16/Box6/Fold1/July-Dec1915/3:Telephone: 3675 Kensington., Telegrams: Apartment, London., Kensington Palace Mansions & Hotel, De Vere Gardens, W., My d...
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...
Olive Schreiner BC16/Box6/Fold2/1916/7:Sunday night, Alexi , 31 The Park , Hampstead , Dear old Man , Thank you for your letter. It came in very handy to a small pe...
Olive Schreiner BC16/Box6/Fold3/1917/10:19 Adam Street, Portman Sq, Wednesday, Dear old Brother, I didn’t like your giving me that cheque, because I know times...
Olive Schreiner BC16/Box6/Fold4/1918/27:Parklands,, Shiere,, nr Guildford., Sunday, My dear old Brother, Thank you so much for your letter. Also for sending the bran...
Olive Schreiner BC16/Box7/Fold1/Jan-July1919/16:Tuesday, Dear May, Thank you deeply for your letter. Always let me know exactly how my brother is. Please let me know if you ...
Olive Schreiner BC16/Box7/Fold1/Jan-July1919/21:Wednesday, Dear May, I know you & Freddie won’t mind my telling you of little things that have helped me greatly. , ...
Olive Schreiner BC16/Box7/Fold2/Aug-Dec1919/47:Tuesday, My darling Betty, This will reach you on Xmas morning I hope. May the day be one free of pain for our darling, then ...
Olive Schreiner BC16/Box11/Fold1/Dated/10:Darling Laddie, Just as I’d finished my screed to you Cron came in with your so very welcome letter & the enclosed ...
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...
Olive Schreiner BC16/Box11/Fold1/Dated/38:Llandrindodd Wells, Wales, Sunday, Dear Will, I send you a bit of Cron’s letter. Do you know where one can get the pict...
Olive Schreiner BC16/Box11/Fold2/Undated/2:Hanover, Sunday, My darling Mothie, I was so glad to get your long beautifully written letter. I do hope you are enjoying &...
Olive Schreiner BC16/Box11/Fold2/Undated/8:Matjesfontein, Saturday morning, Dear Will,, I am expecting Mr Fort this morning. I am very fit. Please accept my thanks for ...
Olive Schreiner BC16/Box11/Fold2/Undated/48:De Aar, Friday, Dear Bettie, I’m glad you’re having a good time at Miller’s Point with Lucie’s sweet ...
Olive Schreiner BC16/Box11/Fold2/Undated/66:Sunday morning, Dear Laddie , Have you heard of Oliver?, I sent you to 59 Cadogan Place a little bottle of the ?Pain-Balm I f...