12 Charleville Circus
Sydenham SE
2 Jan 1914
My dear Mother
Not improbably I should have written to you this evening in any case, but now I find that there is dire need; for while I was burning old letters and similar matter, in order to reduce the bulging of my pockets, I came across a draft of the Badsey Concert programme. And then it came upon me that I had promised to copy and send a supply of programmes and yet I had wandered for five days with the draft upon me, entirely forgetting the whole matter. I picture to myself the bitter comments of a whole family of scribes as they greeted an afternoon post that brought no programmes, and who sat down, perforce, by companies, to provide the want. I beseech the forgiveness of all concerned: I can only plead excessive business throughout the week, which has drive from my mind most other things.
Seeing that the doleful business of writing programmes – well do I remember how I have hated it! – was over before the close of 1913, I can still wish you a happy new year, and I do; with health throughout and wealth in strict moderation and happiness as bountifully as may be. The saving clause in the second case is because I don’t believe in wealth (you may tell any scoffer who sneers, that I apply the principle to myself); but even if ships are not good for our life and morals I see no harm in the homecoming of a modestly small canoe; so let us hope for that. This is Annus Mirabilis for Tark: if I had thought of it I would have sent him a new year gift of a calendar with all the “days” removed after April 15. I should like to know truthfully whether he keeps a schoolboy calendar in which to mark off the days in the old familiar way.
Love to all from
Your affectionate son
George M Sladden
