William Jesser Coope to Frederick Chesson, 6 February 1888

Walton Lodge
Hampton Hill
Feb 6th 1888

Dear Mr Chesson,

I should much like to have some copies of the papers in which my letter on the alcohol question will appear, to send to some of my friends in different parts of the world. If not putting you to too much trouble would you ask the editor to send me some?

I have been laid up in bed through a chill I took about a week ago and which, as usual, took the form of melancholic fever, and I should have called to hear whether any progress had been made with the alcohol question. It seems to me that the anti-liquor people have such a chance as does not often occur of pressing home their argument, for nothing could have been more clear than the evidence given S [Madlitin?] the other night on this subject. He has had three wives and only one child, the people down south, where the liquor does not prevail, are so different that any woman has children.

Nothing struck me so much in Mapootaland as the absence of children, and the universal rule of decayed teeth. The coat of the stomach destroyed and the vile … spirit has only to answer for this.

I should like to hear that the liquor side of my mission has been successful, and I think I deserve some recompense for the humiliation which the political side has brought upon me.

Yours very truly
Wm Jesser Coope

P.S.

Don’t forget the reading at the London Chamber of Commerce on the 17th. You said you would send some names to Mr Kurie … of people who would like cards. Do you think a pass could be got into the house for Jonathan … to the opening of parliament. I should like [Madhovu?] to take back an account of it to the Queen.