I always enjoy reading Mr. Frankish’s personal letters- particularly the ones he wrote to his family members. I live in Claremont so it all feels deeply surreal. Since I started working as CLIR Fellow, I have found that the words “Ontario” and “Euclid” mean much more than what I originally anticipated. The following is a letter he wrote to his uncle in 1888,
“We are all very sorry to hear of your continued indisposition as we had hopes to have seen you out here by this time – you had better bring Aunt Lois along and put up a snug little cottage and settle down comfortably – we hope Grandpa’s rheumatism is better and are glad to know that all the rest are well – Well we have got over the elections, are having splendid rains, Easterners are beginning to come in and things generally are assuming a cheerful aspect, that is to those who want to be cheerful, but we have some people here (not very distant relations either) who never are and never will be happy or contented.”
One day, I hope to have a snug little cottage in these parts of the country. But above all, I strive to be cheerful and content.