"Writing from the Civil Service Club, Cape Town, to Mr. F. A. Jones, of Derby-street, Ormskirk, the member for that division says:
"Dear Mr. Jones, - Only a line to let you know that my departure is once more delayed. My brother Algy, after getting much better, has now had a serious relapse. And on top of that comes news that my brother George has got enteric at Bloemfontein. I feel that it is impossible for me to leave until they are more or less out of danger. I know you will be kind enough to explain to the people at home that it is not by my wish that I am staying on in this country. I hear that the advance is going on very well, and that the Boers are supposed to be fairly on the run. We have just seen the full text of the Spion Kop despatches. They are most lamentable reading. I have been flying about all the morning, and the mail time has come upon me rather suddenly. I have certainly acquired some knowledge about the enemy and this country, but it has been somewhat dearly bought. - Yours ever, ARTHUR STANLEY."
Arthur Stanley was the third son of the 16th Earl of Derby, and was the MP for Ormskirk from 1898 to 1918..