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2 Nov 65 Arthur Secunderabad Julius ______________________________________________________________________________________________

Secunderabad

2nd Nov /65

My dear Julie

I received yours dated 14th Sept. the other day & am sorry to find that you have misunderstood the subject of my letter to which yours was an answer.

I must say that I fully expected it though I tried my best to explain the matter thoroughly.

You seem to have an idea that the matter is new whereas it is seven years old, & if I had had the same experience then as I have now, it would never have happened again. I am not singular, but there are others in the same hat.

You appear also to have misunderstood my object in writing to you. I did not propose or even hint at pecuniary assistance. What object should I have in doing so? It would do me no good. The questions you propose I am unable to answer for want of books and records, and on second thoughts I shall let the matter drop and take my chance.

The matter has not been taken up in the spirit that I must say I expected. I can see (& to my cost) now as well as any one else how foolish I was at the time, but at seventeen years one has not the same head on one’s shoulders or the same amount of experience as at twenty four.

The man whom I have to blame is unfortunately dead. He was one of the senior Captains of the Regt. when I joined, & advised me to sign the bonds pointing out the necessity for my doing so and the absence of all risk. However I will drop the subject & hope not to mention it again as it is a very unpleasant one.

You appear to have been enjoying yourself lately at home.* You must however find it rather expensive work travelling about. I hope my Mother is picking up. She was complaining of being very much fatigued in her last letter.

How changed home must be. Old friends & relations dead & new ones springing up. What a change since I left 7½ years ago!

I am sorry to say that I did let the Adjutancy slip by. I unfortunately applied the day after it had been promised. However I think if it should again fall vacant during our present CO’s reign, your humble servant will be the one selected to fill the vacancy. I should like the appointment. Though it is hard work, it carries with it good pay.

I am very glad indeed to hear of Peter’s good fortune. I was afraid from previous reports that his luck was the reverse.

I am very sorry that Mary has made such an injudicious match.* It seems very hard.

I am in hopes of receiving a photo. of Helen. My Mother has promised to send me one.

Having nothing more to say at present I must conclude, hoping that you & all are well.

Believe me ever

yr. affectionate brother

Arthur H Laurie

2/11/65

* at home – Julius had returned to England in March 1865

* Mary has made such an injudicious match – Mary’s first husband, John Riley had died three years earlier, aged 42 years. She later married first Dr Hamilton Roe (August 1865) with whom she later celebrated a silver wedding anniversary, despite his being 25 years her senior; and then George Cowell, a surgeon, (1892) who also predeceased her. The epithet Arthur applied to the Hamilton Roe marriage seems misplaced

The letter was written on black edged note paper in mourning, presumably for his father John Laurie, who had died in August 1864