The Spanish Death in South Africa
The epidemic broke upon us with alarming suddenness. In the first days of October when the beautiful African spring had come with greater warmth and serenity than usual, there were a few whisperings that influenza had made its appearance; but few paid any heed, for we were engrossed in preparations for "Our Day." On Saturday the 5th Capetown was fuller than usual. People had come in from the country to shop in preparation for the Monday's holiday, Wiener's Day. This is our spring festival - a day for picnics along the shores of False Bay or on the veld where the spring flowers are in their full beauty. The coloured folk, the Indians and the chief concern of the moment was whether the fine weather would last.
From a Capetown correspondent·