Jon Bouman to the Bouman Family
Title
Jon Bouman to the Bouman Family
Creator
Bouman, Jon Anthony, 1873-1958
Identifier
WWP23117
Date
1922 February 19
Description
Letter from Jon Bouman to his family.
Source
Gift of William C. and Evelina Suhler
Subject
Correspondence
Hague, Netherlands
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
Hotel Twee Steden
The Hague
Sunday 10 PM
Feb. 19
Dearest,
I have just come from dining with Mrs. Vermaat whom I went to see the other day but she happened to be out, so I left my card, and she telephoned today asking me to tea. It so happened that I had been out in the morning, brilliant sunshine but freezing like billy-oh; everybody carrying skates & hurrying to get to the ice. I went into the Bosch and became infected with the general gaiety so thought I would go to the Ice Club near Overbosch and pay f. 2.50 to get in. But I found I also needed an introduction from a member which I could not produce. I therefore thought I would go on the ponds in the Bosch but not a pair of skates to be had for love or money, so resigned myself to looking on. There was an immense crowd and all jolly; it was an ideal winter’s day; what with the sledging and tobogganing and skating and photographers were busy taking the scene. I had told Mrs. V. I was going to seize the opportunity for skating and would be glad to come at dusk, if that suited her. So I walked all the way to the Clarence, and by that time it was dinner time so she asked me to dinner. I passed along the Mauritskade on which skating was going on merrily. One day this week there was a brief thaw, but since then it has been frosty day and night, but the main streets had by then been cleared of snow and slush. Moon and stars shine brightly every night as does the sun by day; but I am glad of my “woolly” all the same. Yesterday somebody snapshotted me coming out of the Peace Palace; I suppose he thought I was a judge! I interviewed the Italian member, a most charming gentleman; the Latins are much more approachable than the Anglosaxons. The American judge is one of the “beaming” sort who say nothing. I remarked on this fact to the American minister who said that he was always like that; in fact, he “beamed” also upon him (the minister) saying nothing: he reminds one of a wise owl.
Monday afternoon.
Broke off last night because there was no mail anyhow, and of course nothing from you. It started thawing during the night, so the ice will soon be gone, as the sun is getting more power. I don’t think I told you that all fares on the trams, long or short, are now 10 cents, so one rides to Scheveningen all the way for tuppence. I am off again to the Peace Palace, so goodbye all for the present.
Thine,
Jack.
The Hague
Sunday 10 PM
Feb. 19
Dearest,
I have just come from dining with Mrs. Vermaat whom I went to see the other day but she happened to be out, so I left my card, and she telephoned today asking me to tea. It so happened that I had been out in the morning, brilliant sunshine but freezing like billy-oh; everybody carrying skates & hurrying to get to the ice. I went into the Bosch and became infected with the general gaiety so thought I would go to the Ice Club near Overbosch and pay f. 2.50 to get in. But I found I also needed an introduction from a member which I could not produce. I therefore thought I would go on the ponds in the Bosch but not a pair of skates to be had for love or money, so resigned myself to looking on. There was an immense crowd and all jolly; it was an ideal winter’s day; what with the sledging and tobogganing and skating and photographers were busy taking the scene. I had told Mrs. V. I was going to seize the opportunity for skating and would be glad to come at dusk, if that suited her. So I walked all the way to the Clarence, and by that time it was dinner time so she asked me to dinner. I passed along the Mauritskade on which skating was going on merrily. One day this week there was a brief thaw, but since then it has been frosty day and night, but the main streets had by then been cleared of snow and slush. Moon and stars shine brightly every night as does the sun by day; but I am glad of my “woolly” all the same. Yesterday somebody snapshotted me coming out of the Peace Palace; I suppose he thought I was a judge! I interviewed the Italian member, a most charming gentleman; the Latins are much more approachable than the Anglosaxons. The American judge is one of the “beaming” sort who say nothing. I remarked on this fact to the American minister who said that he was always like that; in fact, he “beamed” also upon him (the minister) saying nothing: he reminds one of a wise owl.
Monday afternoon.
Broke off last night because there was no mail anyhow, and of course nothing from you. It started thawing during the night, so the ice will soon be gone, as the sun is getting more power. I don’t think I told you that all fares on the trams, long or short, are now 10 cents, so one rides to Scheveningen all the way for tuppence. I am off again to the Peace Palace, so goodbye all for the present.
Thine,
Jack.
Original Format
Letter
To
Bouman Family
Files
Collection
Citation
Bouman, Jon Anthony, 1873-1958, “Jon Bouman to the Bouman Family,” 1922 February 19, WWP23117, Jon Anthony Bouman Collection, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.