CEYLON COCOA ESTATE 211 



of strangers, but in which I hope I now count 

 many friends. One word I should wish to say 

 to those in England who have relations in the 

 Colonies. Be as generous as you can in the 

 matter of Christmas numbers, new books if 

 possible, magazines, if books are too expensive, 

 and any little trifle that may amuse or make the 

 season more cheerful. Be a little extravagant 

 in ephemeral literature and postage. You do 

 not know how the whitewashed walls of many 

 a bungalow are brightened by the pictures 

 which you perhaps would only throw away in a 

 lumber room. To gaze perpetually at white- 

 wash is not enlivening, and here there are no 

 cheap prints or photographs to be bought such 

 as you see everywhere at home. Prints there 

 are plenty, but not at a price suitable for an 

 S. D.'s salary. I speak of what I have seen — 

 the eagerness with which the Christmas mail 

 is awaited, the delight with which the home 

 letters are read, and then the disappointment 

 when the newspapers are glanced at and no 

 Christmas number found amongst them. Your 

 boys who are in exile here lead terribly 

 monotonous lives of duty, for at least three 

 hundred and fifty days out of the year. Do 

 your very utmost to brighten even a few hours 

 of this perpetual sameness. Above all, I 

 would plead that they may always be made to 

 feel there is a strong link of affection binding 



