Thornton Arnott Lewes to GHL, Sand Sprint, 12 June-12 August 1865
Title
Thornton Arnott Lewes to GHL, Sand Sprint, 12 June-12 August 1865
Title
Thornton Arnott Lewes to GHL, Sand Sprint, 12 June-12 August 1865
Sender
Thornton Arnott Lewes
Recipient
M
Date(s)
- 1865-06-12–<br /> 1865-08-12
Place
Sand Sprint
Letter Content
Thornton Arnott Lewes to GHL, Sand Sprint, 12 June-12 August 1865
MS: Yale.
Tent Hotel | Sand Sprint | June 12th 1865.
Dear Pater,
As I did not write by last mail, at least not thinking that any letter left here by it; for I am never sure when letters written here leave Durban, I take up the pen now having nothing else particularly to do, although I don't know how I shall fill one page, much less four. Life has been so monotonous lately that I have nothing of importance.
Our trading is finally settled. Two of the Creditors take over our estate paying 10/- in the £; which was very good of them, not that they will lose by it, but still times are so bad here that it is a wonder they consented to burden themselves with the risk. Although it is a considerable sell, to be bankrupt, or what in reality comes to the same thing, after only carrying on business 6 months, but seeing that the largest firm in Natal will probably not pay 1/- in the £, and very few of the large failures which have taken place lately pay more than 5/- we may think a good deal of ourselves for paying as much as we do. However though we don't lose anything (perhaps rather the opposite) in the opinion of the Natalians, I can't get credit to start on another trip, to redeem the failure of the first. If Bertie comes out, we should start about April next. If not, I shall have to take a situation, somewhere, and wait till I can lay buy 2-300£, which will take at least 5 years and then I can think of starting again.
I have for the last week been working here, as Kafir storekeeper and general Bottlewasher etc. at £7 per month, with board, lodging, washing and grog free, and I like it very much. The only drawback is, that I have to go down to Maritzburg to hand over our oxen etc. and by that time this Hotel will be sold by Auction, and the chances are against my getting the berth from the new occupier, however I shall try and if I get it, shall be comfortably established till Bertie arrives or not as the case may be. If I don't get it, I have not the slightest idea what I shall do with myself, however I suppose something will turn up.
By the bye, Pater, your collywobbles being always mutinous did you ever try Homeopathy? If you feel inclined to try it, Cronin's brother and father who live at Brixton are both Homeopathic doctors the latter a celebrated one. Cronin himself, left me 6 weeks ago here, to look after the oxen, whilst he went down to Durban to get a situation, which he has got, so that the firm of Lewes and Cronin (established 1864) is a thing of the past.
I have not lifted a gun to my shoulder for an age, except yesterday when I shot two plovers; from the simple fact that I have sold both mine for oxen during the trip and the oxen have departed this life. Of my other favourite pursuits, butterfly hunting is at a discount, there are very few here, and many of them English. Durban and the coast generally boasts an infinite number of beauties, amongst others that famous fellow the Deathshead, and whenever I happen to be staying in Durban I shall make some impressions for Burckhardt, who is a great collector. I suppose if I send home one or two, they will be duly admired, so will send some. I am sorry to say that as yet I have not got my April letters, excepting one from Mamma; so that I have no accounts of the two important weddings of the month, for I daresay you do not know that Luise Burckhardt is married; i.e. was to be married in April, and Gustav's letter not having arrived, I am in a state of blissful ignorance. The happy man is a professor Bachofen; to think of her rejecting a Lewes to marry an oven; the pun is near enough for the obtuse (to puns) intellects of foreigners, so of course I have made any amount of them to Gustav, hoping that the Loaves will be well baked. However! sing Hallelujah and be joyful.
July 1, 1865.
I have just taken up this letter, which I had written so far on the 12th, and which I should have concluded before, but I have not had time, so many things have occupied my time. I had been busy riding about country on horses not up to my weight (I am 180 lbs.) in order to collect the four miserable horses (I call them miserable because they made me so) which we had traded, and was sent about like the bad penny, of which we read, from one man to another, having to pass the night in Kaffir Kraals, half eaten up by Kaffir lice (as big as grubs, white with a dark streak down the back), and had at last got them all together, when on the morning of Tuesday the 27th June I was awakened by the news that the Basuto Kaffirs, who live on the west boundary of the Colony, and therefore close to Sand Sprint, were down the Berg and over the border in tremendous force, and were at that time attacking the nearest house to us, about a mile and a quarter off, and which we can see distinctly. The Zulu Kaffirs, who live close to us, were all bolting as fast as they could, but the Basutos told them that they only came to fight the Boers, and not the English or Kaffirs, so they came back quietly to their Kraals. Soon down came an old woman whom they had turned out of her house and plundered it. Report after report of the Basutos' misdeeds, including the murder of 6 Boers, one a plucky young fellow of my acquaintance; and some Kaffirs and Hottentots. Then down came my two Kaffir boys April and Willsir informing me that every one of my troop of cattle was gone, and that they had nearly been killed themselves. One of their companions was assagaied. Well, you may imagine that I felt extremely grateful to the Basutos for stealing the cattle! They decamped with some thousand head of cattle, sheep etc. etc. and 150 horses. We immediately sent in a messenger to Ladismith the nearest town, for the Natal Frontier Guard, and they came the next day. Of course by this, the news is all over the country, and by tomorrow we hope to have 2,000 men here to start for Basuto land, to wreck vengeance on their heads. Of course I volunteer, and hope to have the pleasure of potting a few Basutos before I have done with them.
Who would have thought, that by my coming out here, instead of going to Poland, I should have fallen from the frying pan into the fire, and instead of fighting an enemy I hate, I should have to fight one I despise. However it is clear to me that fighting is my destiny, and go where I will I shall come in for it, so with all my heart I am going now into Basuto war. 659 I shall give you all the news when I can, but I don't suppose I shall be able to write often; this letter can't start yet, so I shall fill it up later on.
August 12, 1865. | Ladismith.
It is two months since I broke off this letter, and as I am just leaving this town, for the farm of a friend named Robson. To begin where I left off, viz: 1 July, On the 2nd of July I joined the Natal Frontier Guard, a cavalry corps, I took one of the 4 horses, which had caused so much mischief, and was supplied by the Corps with short Enfield rifle, sabre and ammunition. At 4 o'clock on the morning of the third, the Bugle sounded [To horse,] and in half an hour we were wending our way up the Drakensberg. We numbered about 25 fighting men, having left 3 with the Commissariat waggon and were soon joined by as many Dutchmen, and the two parties proceeded on together. We soon arrived at the scene of the murder of the Boers, and there we found the murdered Kafir servants of the Boers, and a Coolie who was with the waggons at the time. The Boers had been buried by a party from Harrismith, or rather had had some branches and earth strewn over them, and their legs were sticking through. We crossed the boundary and drove along through the Free State, following up the Basuto spoor. Here and there we came upon feathers strewing the veldt, where the Basutos had destroyed the feather beds. We got by nightfall to the top of another Drakensberg pass, and were within a short distance of a large body of Kaffirs. Lucky for them that we did not know it, or we would have walked into them. It was only found out next morning, when too late. Our patrol came upon the dead bodies of two Basutos, who had been wounded in the attack on the house near us, and who had been abandoned by their comrades. The same day we went down the Berg by this second pass, and found the Weenen Cavalry, encamped at the foot; they welcomed us with three cheers, and we soon fraternised. Our encampment was formed in the deep bed of a dry brook or sprint as they are called here, and a whole sheep stewed in Dutch fashion in butter, revived our courage, for we had been living the day before and this one, on one or two weevilly and musty biscuits. We remained in Camp 9 days; 2 hours-sentrygo every night, occasional parades, sword exercise etc., cleaning bits and stirrups, with singing in the evening was all we had to do, so we played the intellectual game of whist all day. I composed a Frontier Guard Song for the occasion, which though very mediocre, was welcomed with great applause. At the end of the nine days we rode into Ladismith, and were disbanded pro tem, with orders to hold ourselves in [The rest of this letter is lacking.]
MS: Yale.
Tent Hotel | Sand Sprint | June 12th 1865.
Dear Pater,
As I did not write by last mail, at least not thinking that any letter left here by it; for I am never sure when letters written here leave Durban, I take up the pen now having nothing else particularly to do, although I don't know how I shall fill one page, much less four. Life has been so monotonous lately that I have nothing of importance.
Our trading is finally settled. Two of the Creditors take over our estate paying 10/- in the £; which was very good of them, not that they will lose by it, but still times are so bad here that it is a wonder they consented to burden themselves with the risk. Although it is a considerable sell, to be bankrupt, or what in reality comes to the same thing, after only carrying on business 6 months, but seeing that the largest firm in Natal will probably not pay 1/- in the £, and very few of the large failures which have taken place lately pay more than 5/- we may think a good deal of ourselves for paying as much as we do. However though we don't lose anything (perhaps rather the opposite) in the opinion of the Natalians, I can't get credit to start on another trip, to redeem the failure of the first. If Bertie comes out, we should start about April next. If not, I shall have to take a situation, somewhere, and wait till I can lay buy 2-300£, which will take at least 5 years and then I can think of starting again.
I have for the last week been working here, as Kafir storekeeper and general Bottlewasher etc. at £7 per month, with board, lodging, washing and grog free, and I like it very much. The only drawback is, that I have to go down to Maritzburg to hand over our oxen etc. and by that time this Hotel will be sold by Auction, and the chances are against my getting the berth from the new occupier, however I shall try and if I get it, shall be comfortably established till Bertie arrives or not as the case may be. If I don't get it, I have not the slightest idea what I shall do with myself, however I suppose something will turn up.
By the bye, Pater, your collywobbles being always mutinous did you ever try Homeopathy? If you feel inclined to try it, Cronin's brother and father who live at Brixton are both Homeopathic doctors the latter a celebrated one. Cronin himself, left me 6 weeks ago here, to look after the oxen, whilst he went down to Durban to get a situation, which he has got, so that the firm of Lewes and Cronin (established 1864) is a thing of the past.
I have not lifted a gun to my shoulder for an age, except yesterday when I shot two plovers; from the simple fact that I have sold both mine for oxen during the trip and the oxen have departed this life. Of my other favourite pursuits, butterfly hunting is at a discount, there are very few here, and many of them English. Durban and the coast generally boasts an infinite number of beauties, amongst others that famous fellow the Deathshead, and whenever I happen to be staying in Durban I shall make some impressions for Burckhardt, who is a great collector. I suppose if I send home one or two, they will be duly admired, so will send some. I am sorry to say that as yet I have not got my April letters, excepting one from Mamma; so that I have no accounts of the two important weddings of the month, for I daresay you do not know that Luise Burckhardt is married; i.e. was to be married in April, and Gustav's letter not having arrived, I am in a state of blissful ignorance. The happy man is a professor Bachofen; to think of her rejecting a Lewes to marry an oven; the pun is near enough for the obtuse (to puns) intellects of foreigners, so of course I have made any amount of them to Gustav, hoping that the Loaves will be well baked. However! sing Hallelujah and be joyful.
July 1, 1865.
I have just taken up this letter, which I had written so far on the 12th, and which I should have concluded before, but I have not had time, so many things have occupied my time. I had been busy riding about country on horses not up to my weight (I am 180 lbs.) in order to collect the four miserable horses (I call them miserable because they made me so) which we had traded, and was sent about like the bad penny, of which we read, from one man to another, having to pass the night in Kaffir Kraals, half eaten up by Kaffir lice (as big as grubs, white with a dark streak down the back), and had at last got them all together, when on the morning of Tuesday the 27th June I was awakened by the news that the Basuto Kaffirs, who live on the west boundary of the Colony, and therefore close to Sand Sprint, were down the Berg and over the border in tremendous force, and were at that time attacking the nearest house to us, about a mile and a quarter off, and which we can see distinctly. The Zulu Kaffirs, who live close to us, were all bolting as fast as they could, but the Basutos told them that they only came to fight the Boers, and not the English or Kaffirs, so they came back quietly to their Kraals. Soon down came an old woman whom they had turned out of her house and plundered it. Report after report of the Basutos' misdeeds, including the murder of 6 Boers, one a plucky young fellow of my acquaintance; and some Kaffirs and Hottentots. Then down came my two Kaffir boys April and Willsir informing me that every one of my troop of cattle was gone, and that they had nearly been killed themselves. One of their companions was assagaied. Well, you may imagine that I felt extremely grateful to the Basutos for stealing the cattle! They decamped with some thousand head of cattle, sheep etc. etc. and 150 horses. We immediately sent in a messenger to Ladismith the nearest town, for the Natal Frontier Guard, and they came the next day. Of course by this, the news is all over the country, and by tomorrow we hope to have 2,000 men here to start for Basuto land, to wreck vengeance on their heads. Of course I volunteer, and hope to have the pleasure of potting a few Basutos before I have done with them.
Who would have thought, that by my coming out here, instead of going to Poland, I should have fallen from the frying pan into the fire, and instead of fighting an enemy I hate, I should have to fight one I despise. However it is clear to me that fighting is my destiny, and go where I will I shall come in for it, so with all my heart I am going now into Basuto war. 659 I shall give you all the news when I can, but I don't suppose I shall be able to write often; this letter can't start yet, so I shall fill it up later on.
August 12, 1865. | Ladismith.
It is two months since I broke off this letter, and as I am just leaving this town, for the farm of a friend named Robson. To begin where I left off, viz: 1 July, On the 2nd of July I joined the Natal Frontier Guard, a cavalry corps, I took one of the 4 horses, which had caused so much mischief, and was supplied by the Corps with short Enfield rifle, sabre and ammunition. At 4 o'clock on the morning of the third, the Bugle sounded [To horse,] and in half an hour we were wending our way up the Drakensberg. We numbered about 25 fighting men, having left 3 with the Commissariat waggon and were soon joined by as many Dutchmen, and the two parties proceeded on together. We soon arrived at the scene of the murder of the Boers, and there we found the murdered Kafir servants of the Boers, and a Coolie who was with the waggons at the time. The Boers had been buried by a party from Harrismith, or rather had had some branches and earth strewn over them, and their legs were sticking through. We crossed the boundary and drove along through the Free State, following up the Basuto spoor. Here and there we came upon feathers strewing the veldt, where the Basutos had destroyed the feather beds. We got by nightfall to the top of another Drakensberg pass, and were within a short distance of a large body of Kaffirs. Lucky for them that we did not know it, or we would have walked into them. It was only found out next morning, when too late. Our patrol came upon the dead bodies of two Basutos, who had been wounded in the attack on the house near us, and who had been abandoned by their comrades. The same day we went down the Berg by this second pass, and found the Weenen Cavalry, encamped at the foot; they welcomed us with three cheers, and we soon fraternised. Our encampment was formed in the deep bed of a dry brook or sprint as they are called here, and a whole sheep stewed in Dutch fashion in butter, revived our courage, for we had been living the day before and this one, on one or two weevilly and musty biscuits. We remained in Camp 9 days; 2 hours-sentrygo every night, occasional parades, sword exercise etc., cleaning bits and stirrups, with singing in the evening was all we had to do, so we played the intellectual game of whist all day. I composed a Frontier Guard Song for the occasion, which though very mediocre, was welcomed with great applause. At the end of the nine days we rode into Ladismith, and were disbanded pro tem, with orders to hold ourselves in [The rest of this letter is lacking.]
Citation
Thornton Arnott Lewes, Thornton Arnott Lewes to GHL, Sand Sprint, 12 June-12 August 1865, Complete George Eliot Letters(2026), George Eliot Archive, edited by Beverley Park Rilett. https://GeorgeEliotArchive.org, Accessed September 7, 2026. https://www.georgeeliotarchive.org/items/show/95624