Badsey
Evesham
Jan 30 1900
My Dear Kathleen,
We were very pleased to find from the list received on Sunday that you were through all right and congratulate you accordingly, having now earned your certificate you must try and “adorn” it a bit further. I want you to get on as far as possible with mathematics in view of the Higher Cambridge exam, I think that ought to be the first consideration and if it should be feasible for you to have a cut at a Holloway scholarship so much the better, but don’t run after two hares to catch neither, Mother will write to Miss Smith on the matter.
Arthur’s cold is better he is doing Latin with Va taking Virgil VII-VIII & IX for the H. Certif., he says he is doing 8 hours Latin, 9 hrs Maths & 9 hrs Science per week, Mr Morton says they want him to go in for the London Matric in June or January as it is a good exam to “have up your sleeve” altogether Arthur opines he has plenty of work in view at present! They have started hockey which he rather takes to.
The war news is depressing. I hope Ladysmith may yet have supplies to hold out, I don’t think they will take it by storm, whatever happens we must have patience and I think success is sure to come sooner or later, happily the country (notwithstanding foolish newspapers) displays a fine spirit and foreign powers are forced to admire an attitude under disappointment which few if any of them could maintain. I hope it may be true that Mafeking is relieved but do not count on the rumour till authenticated from British sources.
Mother is better but she, like the rest of us, wants a little brighter weather to revive her thoroughly.
The last news we had of Tom was from Pietermaritzburg Dec 28 he expected to rejoin his troop in a few days.
I hope for your sakes, with only a gas stove, we may not get any severe weather.
I think my bicycle will be ready this week but at present the roads are again hopeless.
Marian gets some morning work at 3 guineas a month, she has another exam in April.
Love to Ethel and yourself
your affectionate Father
Julius Sladden
