To: Jemima C Lloyd ( June 1862)

To: Jemima C Lloyd ( June 1862)

Correspondence

An incomplete letter from Wilhelm Bleek to Jemima Lloyd in Bonn, probably sent from Cape Town and dated between 19 and 29 June 1862. Wilhelm describes his personal history in Natal and his experiences working for Sir George Grey in the Cape, including discussion of his own character and ideals and his desire for Jemima's honest criticism of his flaws so he can become more worthy. He updates Jemima on the positive progress of his Grey Library appointment. He discusses the trials facing them in their marriage and encourages Jemima to buy items for their household while overseas. He describes receiving letters from Jemima's sisters and discusses her proposed return voyage from England and a Natal trip before their marriage. He also comments on Jemima's religious struggles with English family members and aspects of her character and moods, as well as Lucy's eccentricity. There is also discussion of religion and clergy in South Africa and the Bishop of Natal's book.

[?] June 1862

abhors humbug, account of leaving Natal for Cape, appointment at Grey Library, appointment pledged by Government and Trustees, Auguste Charlotte Marianne Sethe, avoidance of society, Bishop of Natal, Bishop of Natal's character, Bishop of Natal's controversial book, Bleek family, Bonn visit, Cape, character faults, Church and clergymen discussion, closeness with mother, comments on Bishop of Natal, candidates Bishop of Free State, duties associated with position once married, engagement, England, English family, escort to Cape, expectation of Jemima Lloyd's letters, family, Fanny/Frances Lloyd, father, father's actions, father's wrongdoings, feels impressions of Jemima Lloyd's mind, finances, first step towards appointment, friendship with Bishop of Natal, friendship with Lucy Lloyd, George Longmore, got rid of belongings, grant for Library, Henry Jeffreys, House of Assembly votes for Library grant, ignorance of setting up household, ill health, imagines Jemima Lloyd in Bonn, inner man untouched, June/July 1862, Jemima Lloyd, Jemima Lloyd's Bonn visit, Jemima Lloyd's despairing moody sentiment, Jemima Lloyd's family history, Jemima Lloyd's religious dissent, Jemima Lloyd's return to Cape, Jemima Lloyd's strong sympathies and antipathies, Julia Lloyd, Lady Eliza Grey, left Cape in 1859, Legislative Council, letter, letters from Lloyd sisters, Library position assured, Lloyd family, Lloyd sisters, love, loving regard for Rev. Lloyd, Lucy Lloyd, Lucy Lloyd's eccenticity, Lucy Lloyd's strong opinions and indignation, marriage planning, meeting mother and family, mental pain and heavy trials due to poverty, money, moody sentiment, mother, move to the Cape, Natal, Natal family, Natal history, ordination of clergyman Rivett, Parliament, past regrets and wrongs, personal history, photograph, planning household, planning return to Cape, possessions for household, poverty of Lloyd family, publications, real father, relationship with Sir George Grey, religion, religious annoyance and upset, religious argument with Uncle Henry, religious controversy of Colenso, religious dissent with family, religious liberalism, return voyage to Cape, Rev. Lloyd's Norbury salary, Rev. Lloyd's reckless improvidence, Rev. William Lloyd, self-control, self-improvement, setting up household, shoes from Bonn, simple household, Sir George Grey, Sir George Grey's character and diplomatic habit, Sir George Grey's influence, Sir George Grey's wife, sister/s, social position in Cape, steamer, travel plans, trials, Uncle Henry, uncle, visiting Bonn, visiting mother, Wilhelm Bleek, William Lloyd, working for Sir George Grey

1. We can assume the letter is first dated between 19 June (final date on Wilhelm's previous letter sent to Jemima) and 29 June 1862 (first date on folio 3 of this letter). 2. The letter is missing folio 1, folio 4 or 5 and possibly also folios 9, etc., as the letter ends abruptly at folio 8. 3. This part of the letter describes the process whereby Wilhelm was appointed as the Grey Librarian; it appears in a short series of extracts transcribed in pencil by Jemima Lloyd from letters written to her by Wilhelm between 19 January and 22 August 1862. [See JL's pencil transcriptions in C8.9.] 4. Wilhelm Bleek refers to writing to inform Jemima's sisters (other than Lucy, who already knows) of the engagement in his letter to Jemima of 9 June 1862 [see C4.17].