Badsey
November 7th 1895
My Dear Kathleen
I have rather forgotten but somehow I think it is your turn for a letter. I have been up to mash this morning with Tom (who arrived on Thursday) and now I am waiting to attend a school board meeting at 10.30. It is wet so I may as well take the opportunity of writing. We were very pleased to find how well you had both done in your classes last week. I expect your short visit to Surbiton was a pleasant little interlude and I hope it may have the effect of helping to get rid of your cough. Jack was fifth in form last week but only 6 marks below the top boy. His physical examination is fixed for Friday 15th inst. at 2pm so he will have to travel up to Richmond on the previous day. It was kind of Auntie to provide you with some “tuck”, no doubt it was very acceptable.
There is to be a course of 4 lectures at Evesham, Earth. Air, Fire, Water illustrated by experiments. There is no limit as to age and as the tickets are only 4d for the course, I have taken 6 as “Jimmy” will like to go. We got Arthur into the Gilchrist lecture on the “Heart” and a very good one it was. The next is the “Evolution of the British Isles” on 26th inst.
Ethel and Arthur work away at their Shorthand. They were pleased to get their exercises marked v.g. last Thursday. The duck stealers come up before the magistrates next Monday. It was too wet for the bonfire on 5th but it came off last night. The boys had spent a few pence on fireworks as a surprise for Cyril and I think they all enjoyed it very much. The first working party, yesterday was not very well attended but I believe more are expected another time. Tell May I must answer her letter another time perhaps from Pandy next week.
With love from us all to you both.
I remain your affectionate Father,
Julius Sladden
