Badsey
Evesham
Feb 14 1900
My Dear Kathleen,
We have such a heavy fall of snow here, the most I have seen since January/81 a few weeks before you were born! it began late yesterday (Tuesday) afternoon and fell for several hours, it has not melted much to-day and I am not sure if there is not more to come.
This evening I have been to a flower show meeting the date is fixed for Wednesday Aug 1st there is to be a bicycle gymkhana as a new feature and some illuminations and fireworks in the evening. The table decoration, bouquet and button-hole prizes are made better and better open prizes are offered for an enlarged area, this should improve the Show and add to its interest, we have done away with the butter and poultry classes as the competition was so poor.
Jack has begun some work at King’s College in view of the “Assistant Surveyor of Taxes” exam, he has one evening class a week, at present, when he gets any work he has had set explained, where necessary, I expect it will be some time before he could compete with any chance of success.
The war news is rather slack just now, but an important move by Lord Roberts is certainly imminent, I hope and think it may be the beginning of better things, it seems likely there will be no news afforded until a decisive operation is completed, everyone will be anxiously looking for good news.
I will enclose a few newspaper cuttings the account of the great fight at Ladysmith is very interesting. “Principles of Politics” will interest you, as it refers to Edmund Burke. Ethel will like to read about the Bugler boy who is to see the Queen on Saturday.
Arthur has had some good skating he had to buy a new pair of skates which I think we shall give him as a birthday present.
I expect May will give you any news I have omitted so I will say good night.
With love to you both
I remain
your affect Father
Julius Sladden
“Dip” has been reading most of the best speeches – in Parliament did you manage to find time to read Mr Wyndham’s?
