DLA123-0160  Transcription

GOVERNMENT HOUSE.

CAPE TOWN.

19. III. [19]29.

My dear Mr de Laszló,

Your letter has just reached me, many thanks. You need not have troubled really, as I promised to send my picture [2447] back in time for your exhibition, & I don’t forget!^[1]

Everybody likes it so much, I am very pleased;

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their only criticism is that my arm looks as if it hangs away from my body; that is because you tried to reduce the size of my “cuisse” upon which my hand actually rested. However that is an optical delusion, & the fact remains my husband^[2] is completely satisfied with the portrait.

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It is going back by this mail, March 22nd & is addressed to your Studio [carriage?] – paid. The Captain is taking charge of it while on board the R.M.S. Walmer Castle – And it should arrive in England on April 8th. Will you kindly keep the picture for a time for us, as we shall be moving about a lot for the next

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few months – You must have been working hard at all those portraits, but no doubt you got some interest out of the situation as usual – I hope your holiday will be pure joy. Here we continue with divine days & sunshine & the garden a mass of colour – We leave tomorrow for the North to stay at Pretoria; a regular circus with horses & [illegible] & [motors?]

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& white & black servants besides ourselves all in one train! Oh! I forgot a couple of tortoises too. We are in the throes of imminent elections, & everybody saying things they are certain to regret later.

Wishing you a most successful exhibition.

I remain yours sincerely

Alice

Editorial Notes:

Princess Alice of Athlone, née Princess Alice of Albany (1883-1981); for biographical notes, see [2447].

Accompanying envelope is numbered in another hand; the significance of this is unknown.

LR

18/03/2020