So you are a schoolmistress? Mind teach the young ones to sew and work. It will do them more good than to read and write.
Love to all, and the sum total of all my love, affection, regard, esteem, everything that is dear, to you, alma mia.
Enrique.
5 o’clock, 27 Feb.
When once I am in the field, I will work in my own way. Master is always floundering in the midst of information, whilst I like to take a look at the ground, march, and take possession. Thank God, I have been heretofore very lucky indeed. Do you recollect poor Thompson saying, when the ants were swarming in the house, “Oh, sir, it is great luck, great promotion for you somewhere”? It is very ridiculous, but I often think of it.
I long to march, although I well see I shall have all the trouble of war and marches without the all-stirring spirit of War. Ah, Venus and Mars! Enough of the latter. I begin to think a quiet life of Darby and Joan very agreeable. The fact is, it is better fun to be together as heretofore: only this is such a naked country. At Genadendal there was one pair of breeks between three boys, but here neither boys nor girls nor women have breeks or sarks either.
I have been writing all day, still it is with much delight I keep on writing to you, alma mia....
God bless my dearest virtuous wife.
Enrique.
Grahamstown, 6th March, 1835.
Thank God, my dearest old woman, you are well.... To-morrow the troops commence their march upon the base of our future operations between Fort Willshire and the Block Drift or the line of the Chumie, which runs into the Keiskamma near the Fort. I went up there last Saturday and had a beautiful ride of three days, doing everything I had to do and returning a day and a half sooner than I was expected. It is really wonderful how I bear work. I spread my karosse and lie down with my saddle-bags under my head, and after thanking my God and blessing my dear old woman, am asleep in a moment. The bivouac we are going to is really one of the most beautiful things I ever saw, and, thanks to the late rains, the grass everywhere is up to the horses’ fetlocks. To-morrow I start with my escort—my corps of Guides, my led horses, my interpreters, my secretaries. How you would laugh to see such a motley group!