[Letter parts missing – Tuesday April 22^nd, 1884]

[5]

Our garden is very much improved from gravelled, back nearly all dry + planted.  Plenty of rose trees + pansies, primroses, forget me nots, daisies + other spring plants all blooming, in fact when you again cash yer blooming heye round here you will find very few of the old caudrants remaining.

Should I get his berth at Short’s I shall most likely drop back into my old groove that is steadily saving for my departure into the western hemisphere.  I was thinking in the event of my coming out which I hope will be with the next 12 months, whether the resources of British Columbia would admit of the arrival of another distinguished luminary. I shall imbue my illiterate mind with shorthand and music thoroughly before venturing  + most likely I am going to have lessons in tuning. Don’t let your mind revert too much for the old country, [illegible] is much worse here + I don’t think it will

[6]

Ever get better.  If you came back to Birmingham for good I am sure you would regret it, and besides when you have found will allow it, you can visit here for a holiday.  Whatever you do, don’t listen to any recommendations for the canvassing business, it is a dirty job + would not suit you.

There are educated men in B’ham offering their services for 10/- per week, hundreds of them.  When I come out it will be when I have enough capital to do it well.  That is to have a decent Exchequer when I arrive.

This job at Shorts of I got it will be not more than 25/- per week, so I shall have to live pretty close to save.

I consider from what I gather from your letters, that you are better off than 999 out of 1000 young men of your age.  I have better prospects

Butty Shearman is quite well and I still am our track, so attentive to Ma + Louise,

[7]

you’d better keep out of the road.  Are there any girls out your way.  I suppose there are or you wouldn’t be so quiet on the subject. The Green Football has at last come to a dismal failure + the Star fellows have again clubbed together under their old name. I know it would come to this.

[Image] Adams

I beg to inform you htant EJ Adams + F Preston both wear boxers much to Joey Kiss’s delight, whose remarks on the subject are forcible if not polite.

Vicar is obliged to go away again for his health – he is always very poorly.  He frequently enquiries after you.  Polly + Lizzie Braund came here on Easter Monday + stayed all the afternoon + evening.  They seemed well.

Louise is still very dissatisfied with the Henley folks.  They are certainly very unkind

[8]

To her and it is very [illegible] that a young girl like her should have to coddle with old people.

Well to conclude I can only say that when I next write I hope I shall have better news.  I am very unsettled myself and if I have £20 in my pocket [illegible] would it see me for some time.  I hope + trust I shall get the funds to make start soon.

We are all in good health + trust you are + will remain the same.

I remain

Your affectionate brother

George

[images]

Sir W Harcourt

Smith of ours

Joey

Adams

Tuesday April 22^nd 1884