C.M.H.E. – 28/9/17

Dear Dad,

I really intended writing last night, but yesterday I had a shipment of paper from London, so my time was fully occupied till after eleven, and consequently, I am richer to-day, by about thirty shillings. I still have a good many to finish off too as they are very much pleased with my work. I hope to send a print of each home about next Wednesday on what I consider a very artistic Sepia paper.

I am enclosing a copy of a burlesque on the daily orders. Of course anyone not of the unit, hardly appreciates the humor of them. Regarding the “Appendix,” our Sgt. Major, was formerly employed in the G.T.R. shops in Stratford, and is commonly known as the “Boiler Maker.” Also enclosing a few snaps of “Bobbie,” my latest craze from London, and one of Beachy Head Lighthouse.

I have been rather lucky with mail lately. Have two from you and Mother’s parcel arrived this week. It was in pretty good condition, except that the jam & sox were rather mixed up. The sox will wash up O.K. tho, and there was enough jam left to last me two meals. My how I enjoy these boxes. The sox are beautiful, and I would like three more pairs as soon as convenient. There was no sugar enclosed, and I would like some please, as I am right out, and need six lumps for my oatmeal each morning. The iced cookies were good some still left, & the little biscuits grand. The cake I have not cut, but have filed it for future reference. It is lovely and fresh yet. You will be getting word some of these days, that I am missing as the box had a good deal of trouble finding me, for some reason, and was marked “no trace.” It went to the Record Office tho, and soon found me. Always now address direct here, this may not be for much longer tho.

I had a haircut this evening & don’t think I ever described an English barber shop. This is the first class one of course, where they charge -/9 for a haircut, the others charge -/4 or even -/2. You go into a kind of store, safety razors, soap, perfume etc, and a young lady directs you up stairs. Here you have a choice of several doors. “Gentlemen’s Salon,” “Manicureing,” “Chiropody,” “Ladies Hairdressing,” etc. I usually choose the former. You go in, take off hat etc & put them down where you can, the manager strolls in in a “Prince Albert,” directs you to a little arm chair, like the ones we call “five minute” ones, but with a cane bottom, & just as low. Then from somewhere, comes the operator, in a long “morning coat” & commences operations. He reaches out with clippers at arms length & goes at it like a fellow, firing his first belt from the machine gun. He produces his various instruments from his pockets as a conjourer does & does not set them down, back in the pocket. The razor is kept in its box & in the pocket. While you see no strops and do not see the razor stropped, it is exceedingly sharp, and they do not bother the neck nor around the ears. The whole performance is very amusing.

It is certainly wonderful that business keeps up as it does, but I hope it continues to do so. I suppose it was about time to buy diamonds again, and also Christmas jewellery. I sure do wish I was over there to help select it. I often look in the windows here, and sometimes go in and look at the goods. I bought for myself, to-night, from a tobacconist a silver match safe. Matches are very scarce, and I bought some large boxes, too big to carry & anyway, they wear out, before I empty them. It is about the size of the knife edge watches, and as thin, but not so sharp edged. Has a small plain disc in the centre front while the rest of it has that hammered effect. I paid 6/6 which is pretty reasonable considering that silver is around 4/- to 5/- & it is quite weighty. It holds about fourteen wax matches. The only thing cheaper at all was an E.P.N.S. at 3/6 & it was very poorly made. I got stung pretty well on a cigarette case a few months ago. It appeared to be heavy E.P.N.S., plain, fairly thin, and looked like good value at 6/-. It has proved to be silver plate on soft brass, and was all bent in on the curved side. I was a little peeved at my judgement in this matter.

I certainly wish I could have some of that corn. It is a thing that is practically unknown over here, altho it is possible that there is a small amount grown under glass.

Well I have done pretty well, and I want to write Bobbie and get to bed. 9.45 now.

Your affectionate son.
Worth

(Over)

They are afraid my hives are scabies, a skin disease, so I have been taking sulphur baths and rubbing down with sulphur ointment and feel a good deal better.