Letter to Mother from H.M. Forces The Mound, Edinburgh, Scotland

FOR GOD . FOR KING . FOR COUNTRY
THE BOYS' BRIGADE
Y.M.C.A.
REST HUT
FOR MEN OF H.M. FORCES  THE MOUND
EDINBURGH

Reply to B. Sec.    Granville Canadian Hospital
Stationed at   Buxton Derby
17 - 10 - 18

Dear Mother:–

I have a little time to write tonight before going to bed, I spent last night in Manchester, at a Y.M.C.A. no charge for bed, or checking articles, I saw more tons of cloth in the A.M. than ever in my life before. I got up 7.15 had breakfast and at 9 A.M. went to the hospital and got my hand dressed, then, I spent some time in the Art Gallery enjoyed all the paintings, the choice as I remember now being a flock of sheep and the dogs, There city Hall is a very fine building all so the Cathedral, the streets are bad they spoil the effect by being so narrow. The Union Bank has a fine building of eight stories.

I had a cold dinner and pulled out at 12.30 noon, on the train I ran across a wealth of scotch merchant, we swapped experiences and had good chats for the eight hours ride to Edinburgh. I all so got in well with a young lady who I took for a native of this city but I was timid so I did not get further acquainted or attempt to make a date. I will say that she just showed no sympathy because I am traveling in blues with a bandage on my hand.

A Soldier that knew the way to this club brot me here, I washed shaved had eggs sossage, bread, butter, cookies, and cocoa for supper. then I went out on the street at just 9 and a man was playing a bango he had a large crowd around him, he would start the songs and play while the boys and girls would sing, then every so often he would walk thru the crowd and gather up the coppers,

It is raining a fine misty rain, but is warm I would not mind being out for hours if I had dry cloths to put on after.

Time will tell but now I do not expect to stay away for my full twelve days, I will tell you as the time goes whether I change my mind or not again I would sooner get back and run a chance of getting a boat a week sooner the only place for me now is back in old Canada where mother is.

The country has been nice thru northern Eng and Scotland there a lot of sheep on the rough hill sides and some places quite a few cattle but no big bunches. The people live mostly by manufacturing I saw some stooks grown up green today it has been so wet that they could not save it at all of no use I mean here the crop has rotted in the stook.

Well bye bye Mother dear as ever your loving son
Laurie