WCP3154

[1]

Cwm Hir,

Kensington

June 16^th. 94

Dear M^r Wallace

We were all delighted to hear from you again[.] I can't understand about your not getting our letter & a photo too of your cousin Algernon¹ but I might have forgotten, as there were so many to write to just then — but yours would be one of the first as my dear husband always thought so much of you & felt so interested all your doings. We have just seen a short review of "Australasia"³& would much like to read it[.]

Algernon your eldest cousin sends with this a likeness of himself (it is a splendid likeness) with his best wishes. I am glad to say he [2] is getting on well he has a partner F. P. Romley³ L.L.B. who is a clever steady young fellow. They have nice offices in Perse Chambers Pirie St. Adelaide[.]

Algernon is engaged to a very nice young lady, & tho' they wont be married for a year at least I think he has every chance of happiness — My dear daughters are both with me, & as I am such a terrible cripple from Rheumatism, it is very comforting to have them[.] They both paint[.] I must send you a picture some time, & I think I might get you some bulbs of our orchids. I suppose they should be sent in earth, & in tins, & collected after flowering. I am sending in this some seeds of the "Clianthus Dampieri" or Sturts Pea — it is a brilliant flower red & black & there are others lilac & black & white — I still hear from E. L. [3] Layard.² He is living in Otterbourne Budleigh Salterton, South Devon — & amuses himself with fishing[.] He was very ill when he left Noumea & was threatened with cancer in the cheek but I think he is tolerably well he has only one son who is I fear a "duffer"[.] Geo Burningham³ has had a stroke of paralysis. He is 92 — so I should not wonder if it is the beginning of the end – Ernest⁴ my youngest son is studying medicine while spending the long vacation he secured a native skeleton the man died of measles & was buried some 30 years ago – he had his axe, knife, & tinder box all by him — Ernest has such kind friends in the Darling N. S. W. squatters[.] He also got some native weapons which are now very scarce as the race is dwindling away fast poor things.

[4] You must miss your daughter⁵ & I hope your son⁶ will do well[.] What a delight your garden must be to you[.] I have a photo of your brother John[.]⁷ I am glad he has done so well in America[.] Send us likenesses of your daughter, & son, & I will forward you others of ourselves[.] There are several kindergarten schools here — an enterprising & wealthy colonist W. A. Horn⁸ has fitted out an Expedition to the McDonnell ranges, I will send you the accounts when they return[.] They are to be away some months & D^r Stirling⁹ & Professor Tate¹⁰ from our University have both gone beside other scientists from Melbourne & Sydney — Now dear cousin I must say goodbye[.] I hope the photo will reach you safely[.]

With kind regards from all | I remain — faithfully yours | Matilda Wilson^11,12 [signature]