George Clark Letters (3)

2 William Street, Waterloo Road, SE, 27/3/76

My Dear Father

I am leaving here tomorrow, Tuesday, if possible for Southampton, thence after leaving baggage at our Agents, to Portsmouth, and stay at Caleott’s all night, leaving on Wednesday morning for Kingston, crossing to Southampton on Thursday and sailing same day at 2pm on the “Deccan” P & O Steamer for Aden, changing on to another steam there for Zanzibar, which will leave us at Mombasa. Tomorrow I have to meet Committee at 11am and get final instructions and dismissal. So you see the programme for some time is filled up pretty well. I was at Portsmouth on Saturday from 4.10 to 7.10, just running over in the afternoon, and was glad to find them all well and jolly. Grandma looks hearty and well.

We were at Crystal Palace on Thursday. You should just see the lot of tin boxes I have got besides wooden boxes. It would do you good. They have given me a Three Guinea Concertina, and a £3-10-0 binocular and I should say what with outfit etc. my bill will be over £200. Beside which the fare to Aden is £31, and from Aden to Zanzibar £19, so it is going to run off with a tidy bit of money. Sutherland came home from Greenwich on Saturday. We saw him yesterday afternoon. He has with others in the employ been sent away from the works, things are so slack about there. I will write you on the voyage and post at Aden or some other port. You had better address me “C/o The Church Missionary Society, Mombasa, E Africa,” or let me write you from there first, when I will be able to give my proper address.

With love to you all, I remain dear father, Your affection and loving son

George J Clark