83

Montevideo             9th Nov.      1893

My dear Mother,

For the last few days I have been here, on the “other” side of the “River”. Business is not brilliant here either, but at all events it is a little better than in Buenos Aires, & it is a relief to be able to send even a few small orders.  I wrote you by “Thames” 26th ult. Before leaving B. Aires I got your letter of 2nd Oct. Julian went to the Camp for a week.^[1] His neuralgia was bad again. I do not see so much of him now that he lives in Belgrano but we usually meet once or twice a day. Josephy will be there for a few weeks more.^[2]

Very sorry to hear of James Black’s serious accident.^[3] How is he now?

This place is full of Argentine political refugees; – Radicals who sided with the Revolution & who now deem it prudent to take a little change of air. One of the leaders is Dr Ayerza, a lawyer, whom I have the honour of knowing.^[4] Y’day he raised his hat to me, bestowed on me the sweetest of smiles, & made kind enquiries as to my health. I forthwith became a convert to Radical (want of) Principles.

But this is not my only acquaintance of standing. To-day I was greeted politely by a real live Belgian Count, a former travelling companion. To be sure his standing is only about four feet six, but he makes up in distinction what he lacks in height.

The “Tagus” passes homeward to-morrow. I shall try to find time to go on board to pass the time of day to Bertie.^[5] It was only y’day I heard he was still on the old ship. I thought he was to be transferred to one of the new ones.

The weather all last week has been perfect. Spring & Autumn are the two delightful seasons in the Plate.^[6] Clear skies & summer warmth tempered by light breezes. I do no care much for Montevideo for I know scarcely anyone here, & life is very quiet, but the town, though smaller than B. Aires, is brighter, cleaner, & more imposing. The broad well-paved streets & the many stone houses give an air of solidity & respectability to the place, beside which B. Aires seems shoddy.

On Sunday young Thomsen drove me to his Father’s country-house – the “Chacra”, & I stayed overnight.^[7] For this part of the world it is a beautiful property, – not the house, but the grounds which are wooded with firs, oaks, eucalyptus, palms & many other trees.

In Rio the revolution continues. It will cost the country a mint of money. In spite of the sanguinary reports the bloodshed will, I fancy, not be found to be in proportion to the expenditure of powder & shot.  There is a reluctance on both sides to kill, partly owing to an appreciation of the fratricidal nature of the struggle, I suppose, & partly to the fear of consequences to each should the other side ultimately triumph.

I have a good deal to do for tomorrow’s mail, which means writing for some hours this evg. after dinner. I do not at all fancy it, but once I settle down to it & get over my first feeling of sleepiness it usually goes all right. This morning I was up at six. Now the warm mornings have come it is much easier to rise.

Best love,

Jack