To: Frances Lloyd (15 June 1862)

To: Frances Lloyd (15 June 1862)

Correspondence

A letter from Wilhelm Bleek to Fanny Lloyd, sent from Cape Town on 15 June 1862, announcing his and Jemima's engagement. He calls Jemima's promise to be more than friends a "priceless blessing" that has given him "new life", especially given his poor health. He explains the delay in formalising the engagement due to distance and vagaries of the Mail; how only Lucy was told; and that he has now written to inform his mother. He has received kind letters of approval from their uncles Marmaduke and Henry. Wilhelm explains why Jemima may not yet have written to Fanny with the news, and conveys her love and the warmth with which she writes of her eldest sister. Wilhelm hopes to be regarded as a brother and looks forward to "their sisters" visiting Cape Town in the future. He asks that the engagement be kept secret until Jemima writes to her father. He shares news of his sister Augusta's wedding in Buenos Aires and reflects on the comfort and connections Jemima's love and letters have given him since he has been separated from his family. He hopes Fanny's friendship, like Lucy's, will help him feel less alone. Wilhelm tells her to ask Lucy for further details - she will no doubt be relieved to give up the burden of his and Jemima's secret.

15 June 1862

Wilhelm Bleek (letter to Fanny Lloyd 15 June 1862), Frances Lloyd (Fanny), Jemima Lloyd (in Wilhelm Bleek's letter to Fanny Lloyd 15 June 1862), Lucy Lloyd (in Wilhelm Bleek's letter to Fanny Lloyd 15 June 1862), uncles (Jemima Lloyd's Marmaduke and Henry Jeffreys), letter (from Jemima Lloyd's uncles to Wilhelm Bleek approving engagement), Henry Jeffreys (Jemima Lloyd's uncle), Marmaduke Jeffreys (Jemima Lloyd's uncle), sister (Jemima Lloyd's Fanny), father (Jemima Lloyd's Rev. William Lloyd), William Lloyd (Jemima Lloyd's father), marriage (Jemima Lloyd's "promise" to Wilhelm Bleek), engagement (Wilhelm Bleek tells Fanny Lloyd his and Jemima's "sweet secret"), mother (Wilhelm Bleek's Auguste Bleek), Augusta Bleek (Wilhelm Bleek's sister), Auguste Bleek (Wilhelm Bleek's mother), ill health (Wilhelm Bleek's), love (Wilhelm Bleek and Jemima Lloyd knew of each other's for months)