Western Australia Wildflowers

I have always been interested in the landscape of any place that I happen to be living in at the time, and indeed it's surrounds, and further the many variations to a countries landscape depending on the climate and location - in Australia there are many climatic changes and many variations in landscape, Western Australia is but one of these. ~Purple Enigma~

~This information, which has been researched online (see bottom of page for source and further access points), is dedicated to my very dear friend L.M.~

We begin our story with these strange brown rocks. They might look a bit sombre, but these stromatolites are the ancestors of WA's stunning wildflowers.

Stromatolites still grow in WA today and have hardly changed from their three billion year old fossil ancestors. Millions of blue-green algae skeletons build upon each otherís dead bodies to form these strange cauliflower-shaped boulders. Stromatolites are the great-great-great grandparents of all plants and animals, including their most gorgeous wildlfower descendents.

Now blooming

WA seems an unlikely place for wildflowers. Much of the state is harsh and dry with very low nutrient soils. Yet amazingly, the flowers here are among the most colourful and abundant in the world.

Wildflower season in Western Australia begins in June, and lasts through until December. During this time, many of the state's 13,000 species of plants will be flowering, although many also bloom in late summer and autumn.

When: June (in the north) to December (in the south) but the best time is September to November. Where: Exmouth to Esperance, Western Australia Other info: WA is known at the Wildflower State because of its world-famous wildflowers that emerge every spring. The southwestern corner of WA has more species of flowering plants than almost anywhere else in the world.

The best-known wildflowers are the fields of everlasting daisies that form yellow, pink or white carpets, kilometres wide on the side of the road. These are most spectacular along the Great Eastern Highway inland of Perth, and north and east of Geraldton growing on red sands.

Some of Australia's more familiar plants take on a dazzling new palate in the west, such as eucalypts with blood-red blossoms, orange-flowering banksias, pink boronias, red-and-green kangaroo paw, red poker and Royal hakeas, and magenta paperbark blossom.

Also popular are the bizzare wreath Leschenaultia, and the Geraldton Wax flower, that now pops up in florist shops around the world. There's even a particularly pungent plant called the Smelly Socks Grevillea.

The wreath Leschenaultia. Image: Alan Tinker, Western Flora Park

Eucalyptus ficifolia. Image: WA Tourism Commission

Heathland heaven

A spring carpet of daisies. Image: WA Tourism Commission.

The vistas of daisies across the interior of the state are certainly spectacular and a real crowd pleaser. But what gets the local botanists really excited are the less well known heathlands, 200-400 km south and north of Perth. This vegetation type is incredibly rich in species such as orchids, kangaroo paws, banksias, feather flowers, trigger plants, and over 80 species of carnivorous plants.

The heathlands grow within an area known as the South West Botanical Province. This region has been identified by an international team of biologists as one of only 25 biodiversity hotspots on earth. The area is bounded by a line running from Kalbarri (on the coast, about 600 km north of Perth) south east down to Esperance, and includes all the land to the south and west of this line.

At least 8000 species of plants occur in the Province, three quarters of which are found nowhere else in the world.

To give some idea of how many species, imagine marking out a patch of ground 10 by 10 metres. Within this small patch you would most likely find over 100 species. This compares with only 40-60 species in the same size patch from the Sydney sandstone ecosystem.

WA's Biodiversity

Purple fringe lilly. Image: Alan Tinker.

Mt Lesueur National Park, north of Perth is a particularly good example of the biodiversity of the area.

There are two hills here with dramatically different ecosystems, which are just a few kilometres apart. They have similar soils, rainfall and aspect, yet their biodiversity is so different, the two hills only have about 40 per cent of species in common. This may not seem that much, but if you wanted to see the same change in biodiversity across the landscape in western NSW, you would have to travel 300 kilometres.

To see the same degree of difference in the United States, you would have to move over a thousand kilometres, virtually from west to the east coast.

It's old out there!

Why does WA have such an amazing variety of plant life? One reason is the immense age of the area.

Another is that during the past few hundred million years, much of the land surface of Australia has been bludgeoned by mountain-building, ground up by glaciers or swamped by inland seas. However, Western Australia has not been subject to such massive forces of change. It has remained relatively stable for 250 million years, compared with 100 million years for South Australia, and even less for the east coast.

The striking Queen of Sheba orchid. Image: WA Tourism Commission.

The oldest rocks in Western Australia are 4.3 billion years old, almost twice that of the rocks in South Australia, and seven times older than the oldest rocks of the east coast. With such stability comes a slow accumulation of species. As time passes, species evolve and join the pool of those already living.

Without the normal events which lead to mass extinctions, species accumulate, with those from the past being preserved and new ones being added all the time.

Selection pressure has also played a part in creating the diversity of flora we see in WA today. As the accumulating species compete for resources and pollinators, they change over time.

An uneasy co-existance

This 40 million year old fossil from WA shows leaves of banksia, eucalyptus and nothofagus (Antarctic Beech). Image: Kris Brimmell, West Australian Museum.

However, competition is never so intense that species are eliminated. The soils are so dry and infertile that trees cannot dominate the landscape and shade out smaller plants.

Instead, all herbs and dwarf shrubs can survive under the larger shrubs as these have open canopies. They all live in an uneasy co-existence.

The soils are too poor to allow annuals, such as the everlastings, to take hold here, and perhaps prevent slower growing species from taking root.

So as a result, we have the amazing showy flowers of many west Australian plants, which crowd each other out in spring when water and nutrients are abundant and pollinators are most active.

A little help from a furry friend

The honey possum is uniquely adapted to gather its food from flowers. Image: University of Western Australia.

Some wildflowers are pollinated by mammals, which is unusual for Australia.

The honey possum, for example, is uniquely adapted among marsupials to obtain food from flowers. It prefers nectar from banksias, bottlebrushes, hakeas, dryandras, melaleuca and eucalypt, foraging deep within flowers with its long snout and brush-tipped tongue.

Conserving the blooms

Today many WA wildflowers are grown for export and now appear in floral arrangements all around the world.

A tiny plant of the critically endangered species Conoscorym, grown using tissue culture. Image: University of WA.

Meanwhile, their habitats are still under threat from land clearing and noxious weeds, and the WA Government has a research program to preserve the most endangered species.

The Western Australian Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority has a tissue culture program for 300 critically endangered species and another 1700 in need of conservation action.

The Department of Conservation and Land Management has a Threatened Flora Seed Centre. It is hoped this will give some breathing space so there is time to re-establish significant areas of wildflower habitat for the future.

Wildflower Events

There are many individual wildflower festivals held in towns across WA - check the Wildflower Society of WA website for more details.

Wildflower facts

• WA is known at the Wildflower State because of its world-famous wildflowers that emerge every spring.
• The southwestern corner of WA has more species of flowering plants than almost anywhere else in the world.

Online source for this article: http://www.abc.net.au/science/scribblygum/august2002/default.htm

Credits

Special thanks to:

Professor Byron Lamont, Plant Ecology Group, Curtin University.
Alan Tinker, Western Flora Caravan and Tourist Park.
Ken McNamara, Senior curator of Invertebrate Palaeontology, Western Australian Museum.
Stephen Hopper, CEO, Western Australian Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority WA Tourism Commission.

West Australian Wildflowers Bloom was written by Abbie Thomas.

Saturday 26 July 2008 - 02:32PM (EST) Permanent Link | 4 Comments

Jack the Ripper : Suspects

The following is a list of people suspected of being Jack the Ripper. Please note that information profiles on some suspects listed below are not yet complete. As [Casebook] complete work on the said suspects, [they] will make their profiles and histories available.

Please see http://www.casebook.org/suspects for further access points and information on this subject. My money is on the lady. ~Purple Enigma~

---

Prince Albert Victor Joseph Barnett Alfred Napier Blanchard

W.H. Bury Lewis Carroll David Cohen

Dr. T. Neill Cream Frederick Deeming Montague John Druitt

Carl Feigenbaum Fogelma George Hutchinson (Br.)

Hyam Hyams Jill the Ripper James Kelly

Severin Klosowski (George Chapman) Aaron Kosminski Jacob Levy

The Lodger James Maybrick Michael Ostrog

Dr. Pedachenko The Royal Conspiracy Walter Sickert

James Kenneth Stephen R. D´Onston Stephenson Alois Szemeredy

Francis Thompson Francis Tumblety Nicholas Vassily

Dr. John Williams

Monday 21 July 2008 - 04:12PM (EST) Permanent Link | 3 Comments

The Diary of Jack the Ripper

The Diary of Jack the Ripper by Anonymous

Initially believed to have been written by Jack the Ripper, this diary 'proved' that James Maybrick was the killer, although the first 48 pages of the manuscript are missing. First published in 1992, it has largely been discarded as a modern forgery since then.

What they have in store for them they would stop this instant. But do I desire that? My answer is no. They will suffer just as I. I will see to that. Received a letter from Michael perhaps I will visit him. Will have to come to some sort of decision regards the children. I long for peace of mind but I sincerely believe that that will not come until I have sought my revenge on the whore and the whore master.

Foolish bitch, I know for certain she has arranged a rondaveau with him in Whitechapel. So be it, my mind is firmly made. I took refreshment at the Poste House it was there I finally decided London it shall be. And why not, is it not an ideal location ? Indeed do I not frequently visit the Capital and indeed do I not have legitimate reason for doing so. All who sell their dirty wares shall pay, of that I have no doubt. But shall I pay ? I think not I am too clever for that.

As usual my hands are cold, my heart I do believe is colder still. My dearest Gladys is unwell yet again, she worries me so. I am convinced a dark shadow lays over the house, it is evil. I am becoming increasingly weary of people who constantly enquire regards the state of my health. True my head and arms pain me at times, but I am not duly worried, although I am quite certain Hopper believes to the contrary. I have him down as a bumbling buffoon. Thomas has requested that we meet as soon as possible. Business is flourishing so I have no inclination as regards the matter he describes as most urgent. Never the less I shall endeavour to meet his request.

Time is passing much too slowly, I still have to work up the courage to begin my I campaign. I have thought long and hard over the matter and still I cannot come to a decision to when I should begin. Opportunity is there, of that fact I am certain. The bitch has no inclination.

The thought of him taking her is beginning to thrill me, perhaps I will allow her to continue, some of my thoughts are indeed beginning to give me pleasure. Yes I will visit Michael for a few weeks, and allow her to take all she can from the whoring master. Tonight I shall see mine. I may return to Battlecrease and take the unfaithful bitch. Two in a night, indeed pleasure. My medicine is doing me good, in fact I am sure I can take more than any other person alive. My mind is clear, I will put whore through pain tonight.

I am beginning to believe it is unwise to continue writing, If I am to down a whore then nothing shall lead the persuers back to me, and yet there are times when I feel an overwhelming compulsion to place my thoughts to paper. It is dangerous, that I know. If Smith should find this then I am done before my campaign begins. However, the pleasure of writing off all that lays ahead of me, and indeed the pleasure of thoughts of deeds that lay ahead of me, thrills me so. And oh what deeds I shall commit. For how could one suspect that I could be capable of such things, for am I not, as all believe, a mild man, who it has been said would never hurt a fly. Indeed only the other day did not Edwin say of me I was the most gentlest of men he had encountered. A compliment from my dear brother which I found exceedingly flattering.

Tomorrow I travel to Manchester. Will take some of my medicine and think hard on the matter. I believe I could do so, though I shake with fear of capture. A fear will have to overcome. I believe I have the strength. I will force myself not to think of the children. The whore, that is all that shall be in my mind. My head ache

My dear God my mind is in a fog. The whore is now with her maker and he welcome to her. There was no pleasure as I squeezed, I felt nothing. Do not know I have the courage to go back to my original idea. Manchester was cold and damp very much like this hell hole. Next time I will throw acid over them. The thought of them uncertain and screaming while the acid burns deep thrills me. ha, what a job it would be if I could gouge an eye out and leave it by the whores body for all to see ha ha

I believe I have caught a chill. I cannot stop shaking, my body aches. There a times when I pray to God that the pain and torment will stop. Summer is near uncertain warm weather will do me good. I long for peace but my work is only beginning will have a long wait for peace. All whores must suffer first and my God how I will make them suffer as she has made me. Edwin asked regards Thomas and business informed him that Thomas was well and business was flourishing, both true. I have it in my mind that I should write to Michael, perhaps not, my hands are far too cold, another day. I will take the bitch tonight. I need to take my mind off tonight's events. The children are well.

Strolled by the drive, encountered Mrs Hamersmith, she enquired of Bobo and Gladys and much to my astonishment about my health. What has that whore sail Mrs Hammersmith is a bitch. The fresh air and stroll did me good. For a while succeeded in forgetting the bitch and her whoring master. Felt complete refreshed when I returned to my office. I will visit Michael this coming June. June such a pleasant month, the flowers are in full bud the air is sweeter and life is almc certainly much rosier I look forward to its coming with pleasure. A great deal pleasure. I feel compelled to write to Michael if not obliged. My mind is clear, uncertain hands are not cold.

I am vexed. I am trying to quell my anger. The whore has suggested she accompany me on my trip to Michael. I need time to put my mind in order. Under I circumstances can I let the bitch accompany me, all my hard work and plans willl destroyed if she were to do so. The pain was bad today. I believe the bitch has foul one of my bottles, it had been moved. I am tired and need sleep the pain kept me awake for most of last night. Will return early avoid the bitch altogether.

Frequented my Club - George stated that he had never seen me in better health believe the bitch has changed her mind. My thoughts are becoming increasin! more daring, I have i agined doing all manner of things. Could I eat part of on Perhaps it would tas e of fresh fried bacon - My dear God it thrills me so. Michael is expecting me towards the end of June, henceforth from July my campaign will gather momentum. I will take each and everyone before I return them their maker, damaged of course, severely damaged.

I try to repel all thoughts of the children from my mind. I feel strong, stronger than I have ever felt. My thoughts keep returning to Manchester, next time it will thrill me. I know in my heart it will. I cannot understand why William will not accept my offer to dine. He is not unlike me, he hates the bitch. I believe if chance prevails I will bum St. James's to the ground. tomorrow I will make a substantial wager. I feel lucky.

If I could have the bastard Lowry with my uncertain then I would have done so. How dare he question me on any matter, it is I that should question him. Damn him damn him damn him should I replace the missing items? No that would be too much of a risk. Should I destroy this? My God I will kill him. Give him no reason to order him poste haste to drop the matter, that I believe is the only course of action I can take. I will force myself to think of something more pleasant. The whore will suffer more than she has ever done so tonight, that thought revitalizes me. June is drawing to a close I shake with anticipation.

I have taken too much my thoughts are not where they should be. I recall little of the events of yesterday. Thank God I stopped myself in time. I will show my wrath towards the bastard in such a manner that he will wish he had never brought up the subject. No one, not even God himself will away the pleasure of writing my thoughts. I will take the first whore I encounter and show her what hell is really like. I think I will ram a cane into the whoring bitches mound and leave it there for them to see how much she could take. My head aches, God has no right to do this to me the devil take him.

216

How I succeeded in controlling myself I do not know. I have not allowed for the red stuff, gallons of it in my estimation. Some of it is bound to spill onto me. I cannot - allow my clothes to be blood drenched, this I could not explain to anyone least of all Michael. Why did I not think of this before? I curse myself. The struggle to stop myself was overwhelming, and if I had not asked Michael to lock me in my bedroom for fear of sleepwalking, to which I had said I had been prone to do recently, was that not clever? I would have done my dirty deeds that very night.

217

I have taken a small room in Middlesex Street, that in itself is a joke. I have paid well and I believe no questions will be asked. It is indeed an ideal location. I have walked the streets and have become more than familiar with them. I said Whitechapel it will be and Whitechapel it shall. The bitch and her whoring master will rue the day I first saw them together. I said I am clever, very clever. Whitechapel Liverpool, Whitechapel London, ~ No one could possibly place it together. And indeed for there is no reason for anyone to do so. The next time I travel to London I shall begin. I have no doubts, my confidence is most high. I am thrilled writing this, life is sweet, and my disappointment has vanished. Next time for sure. I have no doubts, not any longer, no doubts. No one will ever suspect. Tomorrow I will purchase the finest knife money can buy, nothing shall be too good for my whores, I will treat them to the finest, the very finest, they deserve that at least from I.

I have shown all that I mean business, the pleasure was far better than I imagined. The whore was only too willing to do her business. I recall all and it thrills me. There was no scream when I cut. I was more than vexed when the head would not come off. I believe I will need more strength next time. I struck deep into her. I regret I never had the cane, it would have been a delight to have rammed it hard into her. The bitch opened like a ripe peach. I have decided next time I will rip all out. My medicine will give me strength and the thought of the whore and her whoring master will spur me on no end.

The gentle man with gentle thoughts will strike again soon. I have never felt better, in fact, I am taking more than ever and I can feel the strength building up within me. The head will come off next time, also the whores hands. Shall I leave them in various places around Whitechapel? Hunt the head and hands instead of the thimble ha ha. Maybe I will take some part away with me to see if it does taste of like fresh fried bacon. The whore seen her master today it did not bother me. I imagined I was with them, the very thought thrills me. I wonder if the whore has ever had such thoughts? I believe she has, has she not cried out when I demand she takes another. The bitch. She will suffer but not as yet. Tomorrow I travel to London. I have decided I cannot wait any longer. I look forward to tomorrow nights work, it will do me good, a great deal of good.

Am I not clever? I thought of my funny little rhyme on my travel to the City of Whores. I was vexed with myself when I realised I had forgotten the chalk. So vexed in fact that I returned to the bitch and cut out more. I took some of it away with me. It is in front of me. I intend to fry it and eat it later - The very thought works up my appetite. I cannot stop the thrill of writing. I ripped open my God I will have to stop thinking of the children they distract me so I ripped open

218

The wait to read about my triumph seemed long, although it was not. I am not disappointed, they have all written well. The next time they will have a great deal more to write, of that fact I have no doubt ha ha. I will remain calm and show no interest in my deed, if anyone should mention it so, but I will laugh inside, oh how I will laugh.

I will not allow too much time to pass before my next. Indeed I need to repeat my pleasure as soon as possible. The whoring Master can have her with pleasure and I shall have my pleasure with my thoughts and deeds. I will be clever. I will not call on Michael on my next visit. My brothers would be horrified if they knew, particularly Edwin after all did he not say I was one of the most gentlest of men he had ever encountered. I hope he is enjoying the fruits of America. Unlike I, for do I not have a sour fruit.

219

I could not resist mentioning my deed to George. I was clever and brought up the subject by way of how fortunate we were not having murders of that kind in this city .He agreed with me completely. Indeed he went on to say, that he believed we had the finest police force in the land, and although we have our fair share of troubles the womenfolk can walk the streets in safety. And indeed they can for I will not play my funny little games on my own doorstep.

220

One dirty whore was looking for some gain Another dirty whore was looking for the same.

221

It has taken me three days to recover. I will not feel guilty it is the whoring bitch to blame not I. I ate all off it, it did not taste like fresh fried bacon but I enjoyed it never the less. She was so sweet and pleasurable. I have left the stupid fools a clue which I am sure they will not solve. Once again I have been clever, very clever.

two farthings, two pills the whores M rings

Think

The pills are the answer end with pills. Indeed do I always not oh what a joke. Begin with the rings, one ring, two rings

bitch, it took me a while before I could wrench them off. Should have stuffed them down the whores throat. I wish to God I could have taken the head. Hated her for wearing them, reminds me too much of the whore. Next time I will select a whore who has none. The bitch was not worth the farthings. Return, return, essential to return. Prove you are no fool.

222

One ring, two rings, A farthing one and twoAlong with M ha ha Will catch clever Jim, Its true No'pill, left but two

Am I not indeed a clever fellow ? It makes me laugh they will never understand why I did so. Next time I will remember the chalk and write my funny little rhyme. The eyes will come out of the next. I will stuff them in the whores mouth. That will certainly give me pleasure, it does so as I write. Tonight I will see mine, she will be pleased as I will be gentle with her as indeed I always am.

I am still thinking of burning St. James's to the ground. I may do so on my next visit. That will give the fools something more to think on. I am beginning to think less of the children, part of me hates me for doing so. One day God will answer to me, so help me. Michael would be proud of my funny little rhyme for he knows only too well the art of verse. Have I not proven I can write better than he. Feel like Celebrating, the night has been long and I shall award myself with the pleasures of the flesh, but I shall not be uncertain I will save that thrill for another day.

226

The whore is in debt. Very well I shall honour the bitches notes but the whores are going to pay more than ever. I have read all of my deeds they have done me proud, I had to laugh, they have me down as left handed, a Doctor, a slaughterman and a Jew. Very well, if they are to insist that I am a Jew then aJew I shall be. Why not let the Jews suffer ? I have never taken to them, far too many of them on the Exchange for my liking. I could not stop laughing when I read Punch there for all to see was the first three letters of my surname. They are blind as they say.

"Turn round three times, And catch whom you MAY" hahahahahaha

227

I cannot stop laughing it amuses me so shall I write them a clue?

May comes and goes
in the dark of the night he kisses the whores
then gives them a fright With a ring on my finger and a knife in my hand
This May spreads Mayhem throughout this fair land.


The Jews and the Doctors Will get all the blame but its only May
playing his dirty game

He will kill all the whores and not shed a tear
I will give them a clue but nothing too clear
I will kill all the whores and not shed a tear.

May comes and goes
in the dark of the night He kisses the whores
and gives them a fright

The Jews and the Doctors will get all the blame
but its only May playing his dirty game

I will give them a clue but nothing too clear
I will kill all the whores and not shed a tear

With a ring on my finger and a knife in my hand
This May spreads Mayhem throughout this fair land.

They remind me of chickens with their heads cut off running fools with no heads, -It is nice to laugh at bastards and fools and indeed they are fools. I need much more pleasure than I have had. Strange my hands feel colder than they have ever done so.

I am fighting a battle within me. My desire for revenge is overwhelming. The whore has destroyed my life. I try whenever possible to keep all sense of respectability. I worry so over Bobo and Gladys, no others matter. Tonight I will take more than ever. I miss the thrill of cutting them up. I do believe I have lost my mind. All the bitches will pay for the pain. Before I am finished all of England will know the name I have given myself. It is indeed a name to remember. It shall be, before long, on every persons lips within the land. Perhaps her gracious Majesty will become acquainted with it. I wonder if she will honour me with a knighthood.

I miss Edwin. I have received but one letter from him since his arrival in the whores country. The bitch is vexing me more as each day passes. If I could I would have it over and done with. I visited my mother and fathers grave. I long to be reunited with them. I believe they know the torture the whore is putting me through. I enjoy the thrill of thinking of all I have done. But there has been, but once, regret for my deeds. I dispelled my remorse instantly. The whore still believes I have no knowledge of her whoring master. I have considered killing him, but if I was to do so I would surely be caught. I have no desire for that, curse him and the whore their time will come.

Abberline says, he was never amazed,
I did my work with such honour.
For his decree
he had to agree,
I deserve at least an honour so all for a whim,
I can now rise Sir Jim

I cannot think of another word to accompany Jim. I like my words to rhyme damn it. It is late, mine is waiting, I will enjoy this evening. I will be gentle and not give anything away.

To my astonishment I cannot believe I have not been caught. My heart felt as if it had left my body. Within my fright I imagined my heart bounding along the street with I in desperation following it. I would have dearly loved to have cut the head of the damned horse off and stuff it as far as it would go down the whores throat. I had no time to rip the bitch wide, I curse my bad luck. I believe the thrill of being caught thrilled me more than cutting the whore herself. As I write I find it impossible to believe he did not see me, in my estimation I was less than a few feet from him. The fool panicked, it is what saved me. My satisfaction was far from complete, damn the bastard, I cursed him and cursed him, but I was clever, they could not out do me. No one ever will. Within the quarter of the hour I found another dirty bitch willing to sell her wares. The whore like all the rest was only too willing. The thrill she gave me was unlike the others, I cut deep deep deep. Her nose annoyed me so I cut it off, had a go at her eyes, lefr my mark, could not get the bitches head off. I believe now it is impossible to do so. The whore never screamed. I took all I could away with me. I am saving it for a rainy day.

Perhaps I will send Abberline and Warren a sample or two, it goes down well with an after dinner port. I wonder how long it will keep? Perhaps next time I will keep some of the red stuff and send it courtesy of yours truly. I wonder if they enjoyed my funny Jewish joke? Curse my bad luck had no time to write a funny little rhyme. Before my next will send Central another to remember me by. My God life is sweet. Will give them something to know it is me.

That should give the fools a laugh, it has done so for me, wonder if they have enjoyed the name I have given? I said it would be on the lips of all, and indeed it is. Believe I will send another. Include my funny little rhyme. That will convince them that it is the truth I tell. Tonight I will celebrate by wining and dining George. I am in a good mood, believe I will allow the whore the pleasure of her whore master, will remark an evening in the city will do her good, will suggest a concert. I have no doubt the carriage will take the bitch straight to him. uncertain I will go to sleep thinking about all they are doing. I cannot wait for the thrill.

Am I not a clever fellow

With a rose to match the red,
I tried to cut off the head.
Damn it I cried,
the horse went and shied,
hence forth I did hide,
but I could still smell her sweet scented breath

One whore no good,
decided Sir Jim strike another.
I showed no fright,
and indeed no light.
Damn it, the tin box was empty

Sweet sugar and tea
could have paid my small fee
But instead I did flee
and by way showed my glee
by eating cold kidney for supper

Oh, Mr Abberline he is a clever little man,
he keeps back all that he can.
For do I not know better, Indeed I do,
did I not leave him a very good clue
Nothing is mentioned of this I know sure,
ask clever Abberline, could tell you more

He believes I will trip over, but I have no fear.
For I could not possibly redeem it here.
Of this certain fact I could send them post-haste
If he requested that be the case

It has been far too long since my last, I have been unwell. The whole of my body has pained. Hopper did not believe me. One day I will take revenge on him. The whore has informed the bumbling buffoon. I am in the habit of taking strong medicine. I was furious when the bitch told me. So furious I hit her hard. The whore begged me not to do so again. It was a pleasure, a great deal of pleasure. If it was not for my work, I would have cut the bitch up there and then. But I am clever. Although the gentle man has turned, I did not show my hand true. I apologised, a one off instance, I said, which I regretted and I assured the whore it would never happen again. The stupid bitch believed me.

I have received several letters from Michael. In all he enquires about my health and asked in one if my sleepwalking has resumed. Poor Michael he is so easily fooled. I have informed him it has not. My hands still remain cold. I shall be dining tonight. I hope kidneys are on the menu, it Will put me in the mood for another little escapade. Will visit the city of whores soon, very soon. I wonder if I could do three?

If it were not for Michael insisting that we take dinner I would have tried my hand that very night. I cursed my brother as I have never cursed him before. I cursed my own stupidity, had I not informed Michael that I no longer sleepwalked I was forced to stop myself from indulging in my pleasure by taking the largest dose I have ever done. The pain that night has burnt into my mind. I vaguly recall putting a handkerchief in my mouth to stop my cries. I believe I vomited several times. The pain was intolerable, as I think I shudder. No more.

I am convinced God placed me here to kill all whores, for he must have done so, am I still not here. Nothing will stop me now. The more I take the stronger I become.

Michael was under the impression that once I had finished my business I was to return to Liverpool that very day. And indeed I did one day later - I fear not, for the fact will not come to his attention as he addresses all letters to me.

I have read about my latest, my God the thoughts, the very best. I left nothing of the bitch, nothing. I placed it all over the room, time was on my hands, like the other whore I cut off the bitches nose, all of it this time. I left nothing of her face to remember her by. She reminded me of the whore. So young unlike I. I thought it a joke when I cut her breasts off, kissed them for a while. The taste of blood was sweet, the pleasure was overwhelming, will have to do it again, it thrilled me so. Left them on the table with some of the other stuff. Thought they belonged there. They wanted a slaughterman so I stripped what I could, laughed while I was doing so. Like the other bitches she ripped like a ripe peach. One of these days I will take the head away with me. I will boil it and serve it up for my supper. The key and burnt clothes puzzle them.

An initial here
and a initial there
would tell of the whoring mother
I had a key,
and with it I did flee.
The hat I did burn,
for light I did yearn.
And I thought of the whoring mother
A handkerchief red,
led to the bed
And I thought of the whoring mother.
A whores whim caused Sir Jim,
to cut deeper, deeper and deeper
All did go, As I did so,
back to the whoring mother.

I left it there for the fools but they will never find it. I was too clever. Left it in sight for all eyes to see. Shall I write and tell them? That amuses me. I wonder if next time I can carve my funny little rhyme on the whores flesh? I believe I will give it a try. It amuses me if nothing else. Life is sweet, very sweet. Regret I did not take any of it away with me it is supper time, I could do with a kidney or two

I cannot live without my medicine. I am afraid to go to sleep for fear of my nightmares reoccuring. I see thousands of people chasing me, with Abberline in front dangling a rope. I will not be stopped of that fact I am certain. It has been far too long since my last, I still desire revenge on the whore and the whore master but less than the desire to repeat my last performance. The thoughts still thrill me so. I am tired and I fear the city of whores has become too dangerous for I to return. Christmas is approaching and Thomas has invited me to visit him. I know him well. I have decided to accept his offer, although I know the motive behind it will strictly be business. Thomas thinks of nothing else except money unlike me,

My first was in Manchester so why not my next? If I was to do the same as the last, that would throw the fools into a panick, especially that fool Abberline. The children constantly ask what I shall be buying them for Christmas they shy away when I tell them a shiny knife not unlike Jack the Rippers in order that I cut their tongues for peace and quiet. I do believe I am completely mad. I have never harmed the children in the years since they have been born. But now I take great delight in scaring them so. May God forgive me. I have lost my battle and shall go -on until I am caught.

Perhaps I should stop myself and save the hangman a job. At this moment I have no feeling in my body, none at all. I keep assuring myself I have done no wrong. It is the whore who has done so, not I. Will peace of mind ever come? I have visited Hopper too often this month. I will have to stop, for I fear he may begin to suspect. I talk to him like no other.

If Jims uncertain,
Am I insane?
Cane^[1], gain

damn it damn it damn it so help me God my next will be far the worst, my head aches, but I will go on damn Michael for being so clever the art of verse is far from simple. I curse him so. Abberline Abberline, I shall destroy that fool yet, So help me God. Banish him from my thoughts, he will not catch Sir Jim yet

Abberline Abberline Abberline Abberline The devil take the bastard

I am cold curse the bastard Lowry for making me rip. I keep seeing blood pouring from the bitches. The nightmares are hideous. I cannot stop myself from wanting to eat more. God help me, damn you. No-one will stop me. God be damned. Think think think write tell all prove to them you are who you say you are make them believe it is the truth I tell. Damn him for creating them, damn him damn him damn him. I want to boil boil boil. See if there eyes pop. I need more thrills, cannot live without my thrills. I will go on, I will go on, nothing will stop me nothing.

Cut Sir Jim cut. Cut deep deep deep.
Oh costly intercourse of death
Banish the thoughts banish them banish them, ha ha ha,
Look towards the sensible brother
Chickens running round with their heads cut off .
ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
Am I not a clever fellow
outfoxed them all, they will never know
If Jim makes this uncertain,
uncertain uncertain uncertain his Bag.

I will have to take up lodgings on my return. Middlesex Street that was a joke. The fools, several times they could have caught me if they had looked good and proper. My God am I not clever? Indeed I am. My head spins will somehow have to find the strength for my journey home. The devil take this city, it is too cold for me. Tomorrow I will make Lowry suffer. The thought will thrill me on my journey home.

I cannot bring myself to look back, all I have written scares me so. George visited me today. I believe he knows what I am going through, although he says nothing. I can see it in his eyes. Poor George, he is such a good friend. Michael is well, he writes a merry tune. In my heart I cannot blame him for doing so. I regret I shall not see him this Christmas.

Encountered an old friend on the Exchange floor. I felt regret for was he not Jewish. I had forgotten how many Jewish friends I have. My revenge is on whores not Jews. I do believe I am truly sorry for the scare I have thrown amongst them. I believe that is the reason I am unable to write my funny little rhymes. I thank God I have had the courage to stop sending them. I am convinced they will be my undoing.

I am tired, very tired. I yearn for peace, but I know in my heart I will go on. I will be in Manchester within a few days. I believe I will feel a great deal better when I have repeated on my last performance. I wonder if I can improve on my fiendish deeds. Will wait and see, no doubt I will think of something. The day is drawing to a close, Lowry was in fine spirits. I am pleased. I regret, as with my Jewish friends I have shown my wrath. This coming Christmas I will make amends;

The bitch, the whore is not satisfied with one whore master, she now has eyes on another. I could not cut like my last, visions of her flooded back as I struck. I tried to quash all thoughts of love. I left her for dead, that I know. It did not amuse me. There was thrill. I have showered my fury on the bitch. I struck and struck. I do not know how I stopped. I have left her penniless, I have no regrets. The whore will suffer unlike she has ever suffered. May God have mercy on her for I shall not, so help me.

Thomas was in fine health. The children enjoyed Christmas. I did not. My mood is no longer black, although my head aches. I shall never become accustomed to the pain. I curse winter. I yearn for my favourite month, to see flowers in full bloom would please me so. Warmth is what I need, I shiver so. Curse this weather and the whoring bitch. My heart has been soft. All whores will feel the edge of Sir Jims shining knife. I regret I did not give myself that name, curse it, I prefer it much much more than the one I have given.

Sir Jim with his shining knife,
cuts through the night,
and by God,
does he not show his might.

It shall not be long before I strike again. I am taking more than ever. The bitch can take two, Sir Jim shall take four, a double double event - If I was in the city of whores I would do my fiendish deeds this very moment. By God I would.

I curse myself for the fool I have been, I shall have no more regrets, damn them all. Beware Mr Abberline I will return with a vengeance. Once more I will be the talk of England. What pleasure my thoughts do give me. I wonder if the whore will take the bastard? The bitch is welcome to him. I shall think about their deeds, what pleasure. Tonight I shall reward myself, I will visit mine, but I will not be gentle. I will show my whore what I am capable of. Sir Jim needs to whet his appetite, all whores be damned. A friend has turned, so be it, Sir J im will turn once more. When I have finished my fiendish deeds, the devil himself will praise me. But he will have a long wait before I shake hands with him. I have works to do a great deal of works - kidney for supper.

I am tired of keeping up this pretence of respectability. I am finding it increasingly difficult to do so. I believe I am a lucky fellow. Have I not found a new source for my medicine. I relish the thoughts that it will bring me. I enjoy thinking of the whores waiting for my nice shining knife. Tonight I write to Michael. Inform him I shall be visiting the city of whores soon, very soon. I cannot wait. The whore may take as many whore masters as she wishes. I no longer worry. I have my thoughts and pleasure of deeds to come, and oh what deeds I shall commit. Much, much finer than my last. Life is indeed sweet, very very sweet.

Dear Mr. Abberline, I am a lucky man
Next time I will do all that I can can,
with a little cut here, and a little cut there,
I will go laughing away to my lair

Damn it damn it damn it the bastard almost caught me, curse him to hell, I will cut him up next time, so help me. A few minutes and I would have done, bastard. I will seek him out, teach him a lesson. No one will stop me. Curse his black soul. I curse myself for striking too soon, I should have waited until it was truly quiet so help me L will take all next time and eat it. Will leave nothing not even the head. I will boil it and eat it with freshly picked-carrots. I shall think about Abberline as I am doing so, that will give me a laugh because the whore will suffer tonight for the deed she has done.

The bitch has written all, tonight she will fall.

So help me God I will cut the bitch up and serve her up to the children. How dare the whore write to Michael. The damn bitch had no right to inform him of my medicine. If I have my funny little way the whore will be served up this very night. I stood my ground and informed Michael it was a damn lie.

The bitch visits the city of whores soon, I have decided I will wait until the time is ripe then I will strike with all my might. I shall buy the whore something for her visit. Will give the bitch the impression I consider it her duty to visit her aunt. She can nurse the sick bitch and see her whoring master

Ha, what a joke, let the bitch believe I have no knowledge of her whoring affairs. When she returns the whore will pay. I relish the thoughts of striking the bitch once more. Am I not a clever fellow. I pride myself no one knows how clever I am. I do believe if George was to read this, he would say I am the cleverest man alive. I yearn to tell him how clever I have been, but I shall not, my campaign is far from over yet. Sir Jim will give nothing away, nothing. How can they stop me now this Sir Jim may live for ever. I feel strong, very strong, strong enough to strike in this damn cold city, believe I will. Why not, nobody does suspect the gentle man born. Will see how I will feel on my journey home, if the whim takes me then so be it. Will have to be careful not to get too much of the red stuff on me. Perhaps I will just cut the once, fool the fools, oh what a joke, more chickens running around with their heads cut off - I feel clever.

Sir Jim, live forever
ha ha ha ha ha
0 this clever Sir Jim, - he loves his whims
tonight he will call uncertain, and take away all. ha ha ha ha

Am I not a clever fellow, the bitch gave me the greatest pleasure of all. Did not the whore see her whore master in front of all, true the race was the fastest I have seen, but the thrill of seeing the uncertain with the bastard thrilled me more so than knowing his Royal Highness but a few feet away from yours truly ha ha what a laugh, if the greedy bastard uncertain have known he was less than a few feet away from the name all England was talking about he would have died there and then. Regret I could not tell the foolish fool. To hell with sovereignity, to hell with all whores, to hell with the bitch who rules.

Victoria, Victoria
The queen of them all.
When it comes to Sir Jack,
She knows nothing at all.
Who knows, perhaps one day
I will give her a call
Show her my knife
and she will honour me for life
Arise Sir Jack she will say, and now you can go, as you may
ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
Victoria, Victoria
the queen of them all
when it comes to Sir Jack she knows nothing at all
Arise Sir Jack she will say and now you can go as you
Jim, Jack Jack Jim ha ha ha

I was clever. George would be proud of me, told the bitch in my position I could not afford a scandal. I struck her several times an eye for an eye, - too many interfering servants, damn the bitches. Hopper will soon feel the edge of my shining knife, damn the meddling bufoon, damn all. Once more the bitch is in debt, my God I will cut her. Oh how I will cut her. I will visit the city of whores I will pay her dues and I shall take mine, by God I will. I will rip rip rip May seek the bastard out who stopped my funny little games and rip him to. I said he would pay. I will make sure he damn will. I feel a numbness in my body, the whores will pay for that. I wonder if Edwin is well? I long for him to return. I have decided that next time I will take the whores eyes out and send them to that fool Abberline.

bastard

bastard

take the eyes, take the head,
leave them all for dead

It does not amuse me. Curse that bastard Abberline, curse him to hell I will not dangle from any rope of his. I have thought often about the whore and her whoring master. The thoughts still thrill me. Perhaps one day the bitch will allow me to participate. Why not? All have taken her. Have I no right to the whore. I wish to do so.

The bitch

Fuller believes there is very little the matter with me. Strange, the thoughts he placed into my mind. I could not strike, I believe I am mad, completely mad. I try to fight my thoughts I w!llk the streets until dawn. I could not find it in my heart to strike, visions of my dear Bunny overwhelm me. I still love her, but how I hate her. She has destroyed all and yet my heart aches for her, oh how it aches. I do not know which pain is the worse my body or my mind.

the bitch

264

My God I am tired, I do not know if I can go on. Bunny and the children are all that matter. No regrets, no regrets. I shall not allow such thoughts to enter my head. Tonight I will take my shining knife and be rid of it. Throw it deep within the river. I shall return to Battlecrease with the knowledge that I can no longer continue my campaign. 'Tis love that spurned me so; 'tis love that shall put an end to it.

I am afraid to look back on all I have written. Perhaps it would be wiser to destroy this, but in my heart I cannot bring myself to do so. I have tried once before, but like the coward I am, I could not. Perhaps in my tormented mind I wish for someone to read this and understand that the man I have become was not the man I was born.

My dear brother Edwin has returned. I wish I could tell him all. No more funny little rhymes. Tonight I write of love.

tis love that spurned me so,
tis love that does destroy
tis love that I yearn for
tis love that she spurned
tis love that will finish me
tis love that I regret

May God help me. I pray each night he will take me, the disappointment when I awake is difficult to describe I no longer take the dreaded stuff for fear I will harm my dear Bunny, worse still the children.

I do not have the courage to take my life. I pray each night I will find the strength to do so, but the courage alludes me. I pray constantly all will forgive. I deeply regret striking her, I have found it in my heart to forgive her for her lovers.

I believe I will tell her all, ask her to forgive me as I have forgiven her. I pray to God she will understand what she has done to me. Tonight I will pray for the women I have slaughtered. May God forgive me for the deeds I commited on Kelly, no heart no heart.

The pain is unbearable. My dear Bunny knows all. I do not know if she has the strength to kill me. I pray to God she finds it. It would be simple, she knows of my medicine, and for an extra dose or two, it would be all over.^[2] No one will know, I have seen to that. George knows of my habit and I trust soon it will come to the attention of Michael. In truth I believe he is aware of the fact. Michael will know how to act he is the most sensible amongst us all I do not believe I will see this June, my favourite of all months. Have begged Bunny to act soon. I curse myself for the coward I am. I have redressed the balance of my previous will. Bunny and the children are well cared for and I trust Michael and Thomas will carry out my wishes. Soon, I trust I shall be laid beside my dear mother and father. I shall seek their forgiveness when we are reunited. God I pray will allow me at least that privilege, although I know only too well I do not deserve it. My thoughts will remain intact, for a reminder to all how love does destroy

I place this now in a place where it shall be found I pray whoever should read this will find it in their heart to forgive me. Remind all, whoever you may be, that I was once a gentle man. May the good lord have mercy on my soul, and forgive me for all I have done.

I give my name that all know of me, so history do tell, what love can do to a gentle man born.

Yours truly

Jack the Ripper

Dated the third of May 1889

Source: Wikisource