126

Bahia,   10th April  1895

My dear Mother,

Last mail brought me your letter of Mar.18th. Influenza seems to be terribly prevalent. I suppose old Mrs Moore is dead meanwhile. I think I remember hearing once that in such an event “Dalchoolin” would be sold.^[1]

You were going to tell me “two great secrets”, but you only told me one – about Robert Watt.^[2] My Congratulations to him. The absence of haste in his case gives hope that there will be no ground for repentance. What is the other secret?

I came down on the “Thames” with Bertie W. from Pernambuco to Bahia.^[3] He was very well and jolly. Among the other passengers was Mrs Jackson of Rio, Miss McKisack’s friend, whom I was very pleased to see again. She is one of the “nice little women” whom I like, and Mrs Ellis of Pernambuco is another. By the way I have an invite for this day week to a dinnerparty chez Mawsons – Mrs Ellis’s people – I know of some six or eight guests so it will be full war-paint.

The night before leaving Pernambuco we had a whist meeting at Mr Comber’s.^[4] I have been to his house several times for whist and he always has liberal supplies of cigars and liquid refreshments but he has never invited me to dinner – he never entertains anyone. He is very wealthy – worth £120,000 I was told, but he is not given to extravagance, and they say his wife, whom no one ever sees, is a tarter. He is scarcely popular, but I have always found him very agreeable, and when we meet he is always keen on arranging whist-parties.

On arrival here Hoyer and Eggers came off to meet me.^[5] I had written Eggers that I did not wish to impost on Hoyer’s hospitality and I said not to tell Hoyer I was coming, but to take a room at the hotel. But it was of no use. Hoyer knew was coming and would not hear of any such arrangement but simply marched me off to his house. There were sundry small jokes about the room they had reserved at the hotel, – N^o 184, – my luggage was to be sent there and so on, but as soon as I saw Hoyer in the boat I knew how it would be. Since I was here he has removed to a new house. It is further up town, in a fine situation, and much larger. He says he chose it with the extra accommodation with a view to my coming here next year with Mrs John L. Unfortunately it is not near the “Barra” and I miss the morning swim very much.^[6]

This is “Holy Week”. To-morrow, Thursday, is a half-holiday, and Friday is the strictest holiday in the year, – everyone goes dressed in black.

I shall go on to Rio by first steamer – end of next week. Business is very dull all round and reports from there are bad. I am writing to Buenos Aires and Montevideo to know if it would pay to go there before returning home. If not I shall likely start for England in six or eight weeks, unless the powers rule otherwise.

Best love,

Jack