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12 Dec 58 Peter Hong Kong Father 5, Hyde Park Place (West) ______________________________________________________________________________________________

Hong Kong – 12 Dec.’58

My dear Father

The mail which arrived a few days since brought me as usual your customary letter – also one from my Mother & one from John. You appear to have been completely caught in the rain in your travels.

What you give for such weather as we have here – viz.: a fine & a rainy season so that you might always so regulate your travels. Yes, but unfortunately in the fine season the sun won’t permit of any pleasure.

You must be under no misapprehensions as to giving me any commissions & sending me out any amount of consignments – the firm permit anything in that way & it is done by numbers at present here.

Indeed I cannot get on without it, for I must honestly confess that I cannot half live upon my salary – I have found that out here for a certainty. Still I do not wish in any way to be a drag upon you. Anything consigned to me will be ensured just as good a sale as if it were consigned to the house and if you can get Huggins or Forster to send me out beers, &c., they may send any quantity they like & I think they will find it pay – for it appears to pay other people.

Bottled Beer, draught ditto (in moderation) sherries & wines are always in request. Of course the charges will be the usual ones – or if necessary reduced, say 5% commn. & 2½% guaranteed, with expenses.

If you will buy a quantity of beer on my account, say Allsops or Bass Bottled – about 25 Casks & send it out by first ship it will be an advance on your part, but I shall soon be able to repay you & it would at least be making a beginning.

I do not think you will mind doing this as by the time you would have to pay for the beer I might possibly be able to remit you the funds, also you are obliged to allow two of yr. sons so much per annum to keep them. I only ask for an advance which I can repay. Please let me know if you will do this.

I do not understand John’s notion of the Superintendency of Police. Why here the Supt. is not a man in society & I should not think there’s much difference in the Mauritius.

It was very kind of John to do as he did to Arthur – his object however was not to prevent his being a drag upon you (for I believe it was understood that he was to live upon his pay) but it was to prevent him – should he ever want money – going & borrowing it of the native money lenders as is the usual mode with young cadets, & of course when that begins it’s all up.

So Wise expects to be a Baronet. Well they may make him a Baronet or anything they like – they will never make him a great man – he’s rather a prominent one if I recollect rightly.

If Barnstaple gives you up, make some other place take you, but don’t give up the MP.

I write in great haste as you doubtless perceive.

Your affect. son

Peter G Laurie

[Inside the envelope]

Give my love to my Mother & say I am very sorry but I shall not have time to write to her by this mail – Thanks for the Illustrated – How about the volume?

Last time my ‘China Mail’ was late.