April 19th, 1891

My own dearest Pa & Ma,

It is Sunday afternoon and I haven't much time to tell you all I have to tell you.

Well about Colombo - we went ashore about 9 o'clock on the Wednesday. A small party of us together - Mr. Addy, Mr. Hain, Miss McGracie and Jessie Violet - I did enjoy it - Colombo is such a very pretty place - it was scorching there and yet everything is so green and such a lovely shades of green. We went to the Oriental Hotel first and had an iced drink and then got into a carriage and drove about 7 miles out to Mount Lavinia - such a pretty drive - the niggers worry the life out of you asking for money and calling us xx & xx and they run after the carriage till you give them something. We have lunch at the Mount Lavinia Hotel and then drove back towards town and called to see Arabi Pasha, the State Prisoner. We presented our cards and then went into the house and sat talking to him for awhile. He is a fine big fellow, about 6ft 1" - he has a difficulty in expressing himself in English. After leaving there we were driven to the Cinnamon Gardens and the Museum - it is a splendid museum. Then we drove to the Galle Face Hotel to drink and the gentlemen had afternoon tea and out to do some shopping and what do you think we did then? We all got into a pram each - we felt quite young again - it was awfully funny - we just drove round by the beach and back to the Hotel. We had dinner at 7.30 and then went out in prams agains. We stayed at the Oriental Hotel all night and came back to the "Orient" at 8 in the morning. And my it was hot. The boat didn't leave till 11 though and we were glad to get away from the niggers and their row.

We came over to the "Orient" in a Katamaran - they only hold two passengers. Harry will know what I mean and Headley Ham bought a model of one for me - it is such a nice one - I will keep it in my room at the College. I would like to stay at Colombo for 2 months just to see everything. I am in love with the place but it is very hot there. We had plenty of claret and iced drinks, etc. The numbers of our rooms at the Orient Grand were Miss McGracie and I 17 and McAddy and Hedley Ham 18.

Oh. Ma dearest we did enjoy ourselves. There was a dear little black kiddy there I wanted to buy it - they would sell it for 17/6. It was a rather a pretty little youngster. What would you think if I sent you home a little blackpie in a box. It was simply lovely at Colomb. Ma dearest.

We passed through the Gates of Hell on Friday - that is passing between Arabia and Africa and we passed the 12 apostles.

It is very interesting to know and see all the different things we read about. I am just the same as when I left you all - I got a little thinner but now again I am the same. Hedley Hain is a real true friend to me - I like him so much - he is always thinking of me and what would do me good, etc. I was sick in bed this morning and he came in to see me and he went to the bar and brought me some brandy and soda and I went off to sleep again till 1/2 past 12 and was verry much better after. The 1st saloon had a fancy dress Ball last Monday and we were all invited. I went as "My Sweetheat" (Minnie Palucer) and I was told by nearly all that I looked the best. It was awfully pretty and so easily got up. I did enjoy it. It lasted till 12 o'clock. I had every dance but one and I could have filled my programme twice over - we are going to have a fancy dress Ball next Wednesday in our saloon - an American artist is printing our programmes and is doing them beautifully - he is going to paint one specially for me with thinkgs to come in with my costume. I am going as "Yvonne" from (Paul Jones) in the Second Act (Nellie Stewart). I think it will look very nice and Tuesday we are going to have our second sports. I don't think I well be in for anything this time. We had a little dance on Friday night - I only had two because I was sea-sick again. I have finished a letter to Jim - 22 pages. I will write again from Naples - we will be there on Friday. I think we stay there about 2 days so we intend to enjoy ourselves there too - but we couldn't enjoy it more than Colombo.

Hedley Hain bought me a nice fan at Colombo and we all got one given to us from a friend of Mr. Addy's and I have got a little silver elephant in remembrance of Colombo and we pressed a lot of flowers to send to you but the sea air has spoiled them and I can only send you one fern that we saved. We often have dances now and it is much more lively. We had a concert last Wednesday and a dance after it - a good many of the 1st saloon passengers were over at it. I sang "Carissima" with violen obligato and I also played "Home Sweet Home" and accompanied some of the gentlemen. It was a great success. I was told by several that I was the best pianist on board - they like my singing very much. The concert was on deck and they had awnings up and the saloon piano - a "Collard & Collard" they have 3 of them on board - but neither of them are much good.

It has not been at all hot in the Red Sea - but rather cold and windy today. It was very rough last night and at 3 o'clock in the morning the Stewards on watch had to come and close all the portholes. We had lovely things to eat and drink in Colombo. I will have a lot of things by the time I get to London. I am in friends with everyone on board and consequently I get a good many nice things - especially from Hedley Hain and a Mr. Newman. Paddy is still as lively as ever. I do hope you are all well at "Enara". You know you must tell me all the news. I suppose Jim has been home by now. Fancy I have been away from home 4 weeks yesterday and we will be in London at about 8 am next Saturday week, just 6 weeks from Melbourne. It was too rough to have church this morning but I think these will be to-night. We had a birthday party last Thursday just a few of us together - wine, etc. We rather like birthdays. Such a lot of people are down writing now. I will be in London before you get this. I had a dance with Mr. Argyle, Mr. Goldschimdt, Mr. Robinson, Mr. Chanock and one of the officers from the 1st saloon at their Ball - besides some from our saloon. Hedley Hain and Jane brother and sister on board and for always - so you have another son Pa and Ma dearest - and a good son too - he is going to take great care of me. You must tell me all that happens at "Enara" and all the visitors there too.

I hope Aggie is getting better - give my love and a kiss to her. Oh ma. We did have fun at Colombo - isn't it grand to have seen and shook hands with Arabi Pasha. I have had bad eyes on board - but they are nearly better. I have lots to tell about Hedley hain some other time. He is the nicest fellow next to Him that I have ever met - and we are great friends. I often have a cry at night - he wont let me get sad in the daytime. It will be Alfred's birthday next Sunday. I am late but I wish him very many happy returns of the day. I must say Goodbye now with very best love and kisses to you both & Alice, Harry, Annie, Emilie & Alfred with heaps of kisses.

from you own Jessie Violet.