Letter reading "John M. Mcdonnell, Barrister, &c. Winnipeg, Manitoba. Winnipeg, June 22 1882 - My dear Angus, Nothing ever gave me greater surprise in my life, than your nice long friendly letter which I found awaiting me at the old Coll: where I still contrive to hang out, although I am studying to be a "liar" in Winnipeg here. It is good for sore eyes (as is commonly said) to behold once more your well known characters. By George! I was just commencing to think that you had long ago forgotten me, however I am delighted in the extreme, to find that such is not the case, and I may say that the delight and joy that I felt at receiving your letter was simply indescribable. Well I am very much afraid that I cannot suitably reply to such a nice long letter as yours as alas! My stock of [?] is very limited indeed, so if I don't give you satisfaction, you must make ample allowance for one. I have now been at the Law for nearly a year - 11 months more nearly; so that you see I have had a pretty good opportunity of getting an insight into legal affairs. Last summer, as you are aware, I had the great distinction of having the appendage "B.A." added of affixed to my previous signature, so that I have only to serve another year under articles to admitted as a full fledged Barrister of this Prov: It is [?] any serious intention to go out to Prince Albert to join myself to the legal fraternity in that "Eden of the North West" as it is so frequently designated when I hope I may have the distinguished honour of counting you amongst my clients and I may say that my desire to do so is greatly inflamed by the glowing accounts both yourself and Jockey give me of the settlement. I want to try to get out there as early as possible so that I may not be made to give place to newcomers. Your brother Jimmie is also going to study for the law - He is going to Baird and Blanchard's office the best in the City - He has lately distinguished himself in a remarkable degree, thereby reflecting very great credit on both himself and his noble old institution of St. John's and I may say that brilliant as all his former achievements were, his last fairly eclipses them all and sheds a most dazzling light and luster on his expansive brown, and skill (which by the way is very closely shaven - the result of a very severe attack of [?] which took place a few weeks before his Exam:) I consider that his [?] the Governor Generals silver medal was an [?] in his remarkable career, the men [?] of which will be handed down to the very latest posterity. And I am sure that wherever the numerous progeny of the "rale auld" McKay stock may take up their habitation his praises will be sung in a style worthy that renowned a sturdy race, whose proud boast is that she also has you amongst her sons. He competitors for the prize were all able men - very able - which only renders his distinction the greater. [?] Machray also received the Gov Genls bronze medal which is given to the best candidate at the Prev Exam: You may imagine the magnitude of his success when I tell you that amongst his competitors was the Rev. A.E. Cowley who is one of the Examiners of the [?] [?] [?] Phil: in fact old St John's took the lead this year all through all her studends did very well indeed which fact I know will delight you. Larrie has also lately obtained his degree as the [?] : of Toronto, he is also council with Bain and Blanchard's office shortly. His Rev [?] Flett has arrived - arrived last Saturday I was surprised rather to see him so [?] and to my taste he looks very uncanonical. Pinkham who was married two months ago took a trip down to New York and Montreal - is expected back to night - he has done deuced well for himself marrying the daughter of a man who is as rich as the devil, and can quite afford to bestow on her a dowry of $10,000 or $20,000. No doubt A.G.P.[?] will have a say in the exact amount. I suppose you will be the next one we will hear about getting a better half - wish you joy old boy if you do take yourself a blooming bride - I heard you were awfully spooney on Miss Clarke when she was at Carlton. She is a [?] just now. I will again undertake to look after your interests on that quarter if you like - and look after them too most assiduously. I was doing remarkably well in that [?] in the other quarter when I commenced to find out that my own interests were taking a first consideration whilst yours were only obtaining a second, so I quite the task in utter disgust. How ever I'll try and do better this time. John Hector has returned from Alaska, quite recently where he was employed in some fur coy'. He does not seem to have altered very much, although he has grown very tall. No more news once cannot gather up a surplus of it you Know in a law office Your old friend Wm T.B. Kennedy. P.S.[?] is shortly leaving for the Cumberland Mission - He feels father glum at leaving St John's more especially as his affections are set upon something in that Parish "Old Tom's" daughter I am very much afraid old Mae has his eyes fixed on [?] - Old Tom sold out for $90,000 - O [?] for [?] scribe, et melius scrib[?] [?] W.L.B.K."
