To: William HC Lloyd (18 August 1862)

To: William HC Lloyd (18 August 1862)

Correspondence

A letter from Wilhelm Bleek to Rev. William H.C. Lloyd, sent from Cape Town on 18 August 1862, in reply to Rev. Lloyd's request for further particulars following Bleek's earlier letter announcing his and Jemima's engagement. Bleek apologises for not including them earlier, not wishing to give them unasked, but now provides a full account. He outlines his family background and position-his departed father, an ordained theology professor at Bonn and well-known theological author; his mother, daughter of a Privy Councillor and President of the Rhenish Supreme Court - and describes the religious and professional standing of his siblings as well as details of family biography. He recounts his academic path in Philology, his interest in South African languages and his support from noted scholars like von Humboldt. He details his interrupted role in the 1854 Niger Expedition, his work in Natal and Cape Town, his appointment by Sir George Grey and his current position as Librarian of the Grey Collection, recently confirmed by Parliament. He discloses his income and confirms that Jemima wishes to share his humble lot. On religion, Bleek states that his convictions align with Jemima's and expresses hope that their "harmonious agreement" and striving for truth will be appreciated despite the Reverend's disagreement on various points. He closes by appealing to Lloyd's trust in Jemima's character and hopes his explanations will satisfy the Reverend's anxieties and secure his full consent.

18 August 1862

Wilhelm Bleek (letter to Rev. William Lloyd 18 August 1862), Jemima Lloyd (her father requests particulars of Wilhelm Bleek and family), ill health (Jemima Lloyd's), brother in Buenos Aires (in Wilhelm Bleek's letter to Rev. William Lloyd 18 August 1862), Friedrich Bleek (Reverend Professor), Auguste Bleek (Wilhelm Bleek's mother), William Lloyd (Rev.), father (Rev. William Lloyd), family (Rev. Lloyd asks Wilhelm Bleek for particulars of his), mother (Wilhelm Bleek's), sisters (in Wilhelm Bleek's letter to Rev. William Lloyd 18 August 1862), brothers (in Wilhelm Bleek's letter to Rev. William Lloyd 18 August 1862), Niger Tshadda Expedition (1854), Alexander von Humboldt (in Wilhelm Bleek's letter to Rev. William Lloyd 18 August 1862), Henry Venn (Rev.), consent (and blessing), daughter (Wilhelm Bleek asks Rev. Lloyd for consent to marry his), longs for his blessing (a father's anxiety over his -'s future), marriage (of Wilhelm Bleek and Jemima Lloyd), religion (Rev. Lloyd asks Wilhelm Bleek about his religious convictions), George Grey (Sir), appointment (Wilhelm Bleek's at Grey Library confirmed), money (Wilhelm Bleek's promised annual salary as Grey Librarian)

1. Rev. Lloyd's letter requesting Bleek's particulars was in answer to Bleek's initial letter of 18 July informing Lloyd of his and Jemima's intention to marry and asking for his consent and blessing [see C6.1].