Jon Bouman to the Bouman Family
Title
Jon Bouman to the Bouman Family
Creator
Bouman, Jon Anthony, 1873-1958
Identifier
WWP23112
Date
1921 October 9
Description
Letter from Jon Bouman to his family.
Source
Gift of William C. and Evelina Suhler
Subject
Germany--History--1918-1933
Correspondence
Berlin, Germany
Contributor
Rachel Dark
Denise Montgomery
Language
English
Requires
PROOFREADING
Provenance
Evelina Suhler is the granddaughter of Jon Anthony Bouman and inherited the family collection of his letters from the years of World War I. She and her husband gave the letters to the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum in 2013.
Text
Sunday evening Oct. 9
1921
Dearest,
As I told you, or Bill on a postcard, I went to Spandau the other day, where I had not been before, and indulged in my favourite sauntering through a small town and observing life there. It is about ten miles from Berlin and I rode all the way there by tramcar for a halfpenny (1 mark), which is one example of cheapness here. Linen and woolen & cotton goods however are not so cheap as one might think; still there is some advantage. I bought a suit of pyjamas here for something like 12/6 which would cost 17/6 at home; also a suit of underwear for about 14/- which would cost perhaps pound 1. These being better quality than I could get in England for the same money where I see them; they are some class!
Will you thank Mary for her nice little letter – I was much interested in all her doings; I am glad they are liking Kenilworth they ought to enjoy that. The part about Wayland Smith in the underground chamber is very fascinating, and that he was supposed to shoe horses with iron that fell from the moon!
I am sorry to hear about Minnie Bacon’s illness; you will be anxious to see her when she is allowed visitors again. I am hoping you have taken all precautions for safety about the case at Rose’s home; diphtheria is bad business; let me know how the little girl is getting on. I only hope you took no chances in having Rose back; it must have been very awkward for you without her, even for a time, and I hope you have not been overworking yourself. Also about that case downstairs – what is it? These mysterious illnesses are rather alarming; I hope it is nothing really serious?
Some days ago I wrote Collins asking if the time hadn’t come to go back to London; I suppose he will reply leaving it to Enderis. We have been talking it over with the result that if nothing unforeseen happens I will probably be with you again by the end of next week, or certainly before the end of the month, as Smith will be back from Moscow soon. Of course Enderis personally would like to keep me here indefinitely, but he quite appreciates my position and is raising no objection to my quitting.
The weather is continuing brilliant; today again the sun has been shining all day from a cloudless sky with no wind to speak of. I hope it will be as fine tomorrow because I have planned to go to Brandenburg, an hour’s railway journey; a town I want to see for its old associations and medieval architecture. Enderis suggested I should go to Dresden for a day but that would be rather too hurried, even with a Sistine Madonna to look forward to.
I have already acknowledged Bill’s letter. Many thanks also for F. Grundy’s article which entertained me very much. He seems to keep pretty fresh, although he has to write regularly every week.
Did you make sure of that Esterling cheque?
With much love to all dearest, and hoping to be home soon,
Thine,
Jack.
That Bechtie is a very impchie one, you can
tell her from me. I think she is a naughtie
little girlchie, and the only remedy is –
smacks!!
from Dad
1921
Dearest,
As I told you, or Bill on a postcard, I went to Spandau the other day, where I had not been before, and indulged in my favourite sauntering through a small town and observing life there. It is about ten miles from Berlin and I rode all the way there by tramcar for a halfpenny (1 mark), which is one example of cheapness here. Linen and woolen & cotton goods however are not so cheap as one might think; still there is some advantage. I bought a suit of pyjamas here for something like 12/6 which would cost 17/6 at home; also a suit of underwear for about 14/- which would cost perhaps pound 1. These being better quality than I could get in England for the same money where I see them; they are some class!
Will you thank Mary for her nice little letter – I was much interested in all her doings; I am glad they are liking Kenilworth they ought to enjoy that. The part about Wayland Smith in the underground chamber is very fascinating, and that he was supposed to shoe horses with iron that fell from the moon!
I am sorry to hear about Minnie Bacon’s illness; you will be anxious to see her when she is allowed visitors again. I am hoping you have taken all precautions for safety about the case at Rose’s home; diphtheria is bad business; let me know how the little girl is getting on. I only hope you took no chances in having Rose back; it must have been very awkward for you without her, even for a time, and I hope you have not been overworking yourself. Also about that case downstairs – what is it? These mysterious illnesses are rather alarming; I hope it is nothing really serious?
Some days ago I wrote Collins asking if the time hadn’t come to go back to London; I suppose he will reply leaving it to Enderis. We have been talking it over with the result that if nothing unforeseen happens I will probably be with you again by the end of next week, or certainly before the end of the month, as Smith will be back from Moscow soon. Of course Enderis personally would like to keep me here indefinitely, but he quite appreciates my position and is raising no objection to my quitting.
The weather is continuing brilliant; today again the sun has been shining all day from a cloudless sky with no wind to speak of. I hope it will be as fine tomorrow because I have planned to go to Brandenburg, an hour’s railway journey; a town I want to see for its old associations and medieval architecture. Enderis suggested I should go to Dresden for a day but that would be rather too hurried, even with a Sistine Madonna to look forward to.
I have already acknowledged Bill’s letter. Many thanks also for F. Grundy’s article which entertained me very much. He seems to keep pretty fresh, although he has to write regularly every week.
Did you make sure of that Esterling cheque?
With much love to all dearest, and hoping to be home soon,
Thine,
Jack.
That Bechtie is a very impchie one, you can
tell her from me. I think she is a naughtie
little girlchie, and the only remedy is –
smacks!!
from Dad
Original Format
Letter
To
Bouman Family
Files
Collection
Citation
Bouman, Jon Anthony, 1873-1958, “Jon Bouman to the Bouman Family,” 1921 October 9, WWP23112, Jon Anthony Bouman Collection, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.