Alexr Dick _Letter No. 70 from Liverpool, England, 1862

Letter #70 to son Alex in Australia

                                                                                                Liverpool, 4^th July, 1862

My Dear Son,

I am safe and sound in Liverpool and in good health. I have taken an intermediate passage in the 'Donald McKay' to sail on the 10th.

I called on Mr. M. Macadam but he is removed and I did not find him. I have found Mr. E. Magee. His father is expected in Liverpool one of these days so I have missed my trip to Warren point. Peter Robertson has got married; his wife is admired by all. She is good looking and tastefully dressed. When I was in Busby they were down the Clyde; their stay in Scotland was to be spent in jaunting. I left notice for him to meet me in Glasgow, but he did not do so.

Busby works are pretty throng, but the journeymen engravers were all idle. I was in Leven and told Alex'r Steven of your wish to get the plate but he did not give it. He had got it framed and it may be he had disposed of it. I have Macauly and Dean Ramsay.

Mr. Magee has just called. His father will be in Liverpool tomorrow morning July 9th. I go on hoard tomorrow at 12 so I think it best to finish my letter. I would have taken a second cabin passage, but on counting my purse in Liverpool I was afraid I had not reserved sufficient to take me to Ballarat. I have got a good airy berth in the centre of the ship and I feel I will get along quite well.

The portraits Wm. spoke of have not arrived yet. I called on Mrs. King's mother; she has no word with me. An acquaintance had left a fortnight previos. Alex'r Veitch is getting married and that puts Mrs. Veitch a little about.

There is no appearance of the American war drawing to a close, nor of the North conquering the South. Much distress is occasioned thereby and to all appearance trade will be much worse than it is.

James Dick is doing little as an agent and he has given up all idea of speculating. He thinks he will leave Glasgow and he thinks it not improbable that he will pay us a visit at Smythesdale,

I hope to find you all hale, hearty and prosperous. I have bid my native land farewell, indulging no hope of ever returning unless I live to see you all make your fortunes and all be homeward bound. Meantime, I am outward bound to indulge no dreams, but to be useful as far as possible. Trusting to see all industrious, harmonious & prosperous,

                                                                                 I remain, your affectionate Father,

Alex'r Dick.

Names & Notes on Letter #70

'Donald McKay'

Mr. M. Macadam

Mr. E. Magee

Peter Robertson & wife Alex'r Steven

Mrs. King's mother

Alex'r Veitch &. Mother

James Dick

- transcription and Names/Notes by Ian A Scales, c.1989  (note- the ‘original’ transcription was in printed format on paper, and has been re-formatted using OCR – so may have some inaccuracies which have escaped my editing – C. S-P)

Scans of the original letter (click on the image below for a larger version):

William Moodie – Letter 38 - from Busby, Scotland, 1862

Letter to friend Alex in Australia, from Busby, Scotland, 16^th July 1862

Busby

July 16/62

Dear Alexr

I hope that by the time this note arrives your father will be safely landed from his third long voyage and that he has found you all well and prosperous. I had no time after the arrival of your last favor (with so many newspapers) to answer it in form but I was so far glad to find that what I had just written to you had, so far, anticipated the subjects treated in your own.

Both Mrs Moodie and I were highly pleased with yours, and she requests me to state that she valued hers very much indeed, both for the kind regards it conveyed and the warm encouragement it gave to cultivate

p.2) such friendship.

A night or two after I posted my last, we had Mr and Mrs Robertson to tea. Our John & “friend” of his were with us & between the new & the old we had a very happy evening. Mrs R. is very reserved, but I attributed it in some measure to her inability to follow our Scotch tongues. I noticed Peter had to translate several parts of the dialogues to her. They are away back to Portsmouth now.

I had very bad fortune at both Edinburgh and Wimbledon this year. The weather was very squally at Edin., and I was thrown out of two separate prizes by an awkward miss - barring these mishaps having scored well in both. I was a little disappointed but not discouraged, and they having hopes that I would

p.3) redeem myself at Wimbledon sent me off.

The first day there too was very windy; right in our faces, and in spite of all my caution I was blown off there again, however I had hopes that I would pull up at the next ranges but, as fate had ordered, I was objected to, first - for holding my rifle too far back; and next, with pulling my trigger in a way not taught at “Hythe”, trying to remedy which faults quite upset me and I missed right and left.

I got to within one point of my last year's score by close hitting, when I did hit, but more than that was wanted for the “Queen’s”.

I was thrown out of the competition for the St George’s

p.4) challenge vase”(?) owing to the neglect of our adjutant in not looking to it in time.

So there was nothing for it then but off to the “Exhibition” before setting my face Northwards. I was much edified by two short days’ study of the wonders stored there. I could scarcely convey my impressions of it in a letter or I would gladly make the attempt. I signed myself a member of the “Lanarkshire Vol. Rifle Ass’n” at the foot of the Victoria Column and took my departure from the World's Fair, London scarcely knowing whether I had been there or not.

So glad was I to be speeding home again.

I hope to be excused from a longer letter this time, promising to let you hear from me again soon, meantime dear Alex, we send our warmest wishes and regards to you and yours. I hope you liked the portraits. I forgot to say that our James has got a fine school in Kilmaurs. All the best well and glad to hear from you.

I am ever

Wm Moodie

This letter has been transcribed using Google voice typing (apologies for any inaccuracies or grammatical oddities). I am also having trouble with the text formatting in the posts, so apologies if the fonts look odd!

I have inserted some extra paragraph breaks for ease of reading, and the numbers at the start of lines show the start of a new page, e.g. p.2).

Scans of the original letter are included below the text.

Scans of the original letter (click on the thumbnail below for a larger image; note the order of the pages p.4-1, then p.2-3.):

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Alexr Dick _Letter No. 69 from Glasgow, Scotland, 1862

Letter #69 to son Alex in Australia

This is Alexander Dick's last letter from Scotland.

                                                                                                Glasgow, 24^th. June, 1862

My Dear Son,

I am delighted with your of 23rd. March. 1 am proud of your affectionate regard. £40! Why, I never dreamed of such a large sum. John Leckie's nonsense has roused you up indeed. This display of the interest you take in my welfare does you great credit and I may well be proud of such a son. I hope you dont miss it in your business. I have now £70 so I can go first cabin if I choose.

I have not been altogether idle. I have got it into my head that I have got an Arithmetic more suitable for schools than any of the hundreds extant, ready for publication. Some of it written, I should think, ten times over. If I can get encouragement, I will have it published.

I will let you know my whereabouts next mail. I keep in tolerable health and I am in no way afraid for the voyage. A. Russell has got a job in a spirit cellar in Gallowgate. Annie is still in the cap warehouse. Aunty is going about. I was at Busby lately, there is no appearance of more printing for blocks. The cylinders are on 5 days a week. Dr. Ross is building a large addition to his house. Mr. Gay's family are getting up and he requires more room. Wm. Wilson does not come home. The runaways to New Zealand have returned and business is brisk in his line, so he has resolved to spend £2000 on his premises and wait to see the work done. Patt Donahue was breaking stones on the roadside and Wm. Moody writes you this mail. He informed me you had sent his wife a fine present. Mr. Galbraith has left Busby and Mr. Houston from Leven has got his place. Mr. Galbraith is to spend this summer at the coast as he is in bad health. He got a wife with money and does not need to work. Most of the Turkey Red shops keep the printers busy not withstanding the high price of cotton. But otherwise block printers are little employed and poorly paid. From Leven I have no news, but Alex'r Stephen is very poorly.

William writes me this mail. Jack and he do not seem to be on the road to fortune yet. I can only hope their turn is corning.

The war in America seems to be against the South, but it may be the Southerns are leading the Northeners into a trap. It is not known in Britain how the population of the South feel, whether they are generally disposed to give in or to fight to the last. The army of the North is hemming in the South but the Southerns may regain all at blow. The Southern General Beauregard is the ablest of all the American generals by common consent and he may yet strike decisively and roll back the tide of war. And there can be little doubt that by and by the European powers will endeavour to stay the strife. It is likely that in the course of the summer the war will stop.

The population engaged in the cotton manufacture are suffering severely both in England France. There is but a small quantity of cotton spun in Scotland compared with England so that the privation in Scotland bears no comparison to the destitution in England. But Glasgow has a large-quota of idle men, but the Poor Law board got them employment at small pay.

The Great Exhibition has not raised so great a commotion as in 1851. I have not learned that any one I am acquainted with is going up, so I did not think of stirring. I will write W M D next mail. He mentions that Jack & William have sent their portraits but they have not reached me yet and he prepares me for seeing them look rather thinner. My father was a man of bones and sinews, no flesh. An old sailor said to me that when my father was in the West Indies with Admiral Rodney there was not a man in the fleet that could have laid him on his back. So Jack & William may be quite stout and spare of flesh and I have no doubt it will turn out to be so and that I will find them sturdy carpenters if not something better. John McCubbin works for wages at the Sidney digginqs and is just making a living.

I hope Peace and prosperity will attend you. I am, your affectionate Father,

Alex'r Dick.

Names & Notes on Letter #69

John Leckie

Mary, Annie & Alex Russell

Dr. Ross

Mr. Gay & Family

Wm. Wilson

Patt Donahue

 Wm.Moody

Mr. Galbraith

Mr. Houstoun

Alex'r Stephen

General Beauregard

My Father, Wm.Dick

Admiral Rodney

John McCubbin

- transcription and Names/Notes by Ian A Scales, c.1989  (note- the ‘original’ transcription was in printed format on paper, and has been re-formatted using OCR – so may have some inaccuracies which have escaped my editing – C. S-P)

Scans of the original letter (click on the image below for a larger version):

Alexr Dick _Letter No. 68 from Glasgow, Scotland, 1862

Letter #68 to son Alex in Australia (& note by Alex with  letter forwarded to his brothers)

                                                                                                                         Glasgow, 17 June, 1862

My Dear Son,

The Australian mail has come rapidly this time and I have got yours of April. The untimely end of John Leckie is a striking event and gives rise to melancholy reflections.

I did not get a job at Dalmonach, nor have I any job in view. So I have made up my mind to start for Australia as directed.

The weather has been wet and continues so. It seemed breaking up and I set out for Edinburgh intending to go round by Perth, but the weather was too wet.

I could not get an engraving of Queen Mary, nor one of Grant's or Ayton's works you mention, i have got Allison's History of Europe, 13 vols and Browne's History of the Highland Clans, 4 vols. It contains all the rebellions. I will buy Macauly and look after Paget's book. Wm.Moody is to send a photograph of himself and wife.

I have often heard that a Scotch terrier is the most vigilant of watch dogs. It is rather strange that three watch dogs were asleep. One would think it more probable they knew the thief.

There is no appearance of the American war coming to a termination. The North is the more powerful; the Southerns are receeding slowly before them, but to appearance the North is quite unfit to conquer the South. The summer heat will soon make more havock than the cannons do. It will be the extreme of fool hardiness in the North to persist in the work of subjugation. The people of the South, it turns out, are bent on separation and it is believed separation will be the end of it. The European powers do not think the time has arrived for them to mediate.

Trade is dull and foundries and other works are getting slack now, too. There are thousands of workpeople depending on the Poor Laws for support in England. I congratulate myself on having sons that have paid me so much attention and sent so liberally to my pocket. And I now feel a pleasure at the prospect of being with you again and probably ending my days among you.

Annie Russell is looking for a spirit shop with the view of finding employment for her brother.

I am, your affectionate Father,

Alex'r Dick.

Smythesdale ,15th. August, 1862,

Dear Brothers,

The enclosed arrived this morning - you will see that Father has made up his mind to return to Australia, but he dont seem in any hurry.

I had also a letter from Wm.Moodie. He and the wife are both well. The Busby folks have given "Shaws anes anither licking" at shooting, Willie taking the lead.

Peter Robertson has come home, bringing Mrs. R. with him. Mr.& Mrs. R visited the "Fiel" and astonished the natives with the "Toots like magnificence of their raiment". Willie seems unequal to the task of describing Peter's white silk vest and gorgeous uniform and fairly breaks down at Mrs. R's "White Lace Mantilla" and "Exhibition Crinolene". Mrs. M. must have helped Willie with their names. He and Jack send their compliments to both of you.

I dont expect to come in tomorrow. If you see Ted, tell him so. Yours affectionately,

       A.Dick.

Names & Notes on Letter #68

John Leckie

Annie Russell & brother Alex’r

- transcription and Names/Notes by Ian A Scales, c.1989  (note- the ‘original’ transcription was in printed format on paper, and has been re-formatted using OCR – so may have some inaccuracies which have escaped my editing – C. S-P)

Scans of the original letter (click on the image below for a larger version):

William Moodie – Letter 37 - from Busby, Scotland, 1862

Letter to friend Alex in Australia, from Busby, Scotland, 16^th Jun. 1862

This letter included the letter from May (in the last blog post), as it had been returned)

Busby

June 16/ 62

Dear Alexr

You will be thinking that this very little note will scarcely repay the trouble of reading but I enclose another within it of still less pretension and verbosity which I am sure your “gallantry” as well as your taste will at once admit to be the most valuable of the two, shewing that it is not altogether the quantity of paper consumed which makes the letter so much as the real living, breathing regards which are hidden among the foliage and flowers of speech.

There hangs a tale by this same note (no.2). Mrs Moodie wrote it at my request. I had so little time when it came near the departure of the mail, that I felt I could not quite please you, and yet

p.2) I could not think to let it away without an acknowledgement, at least, of the receipt of your splendid present. for this reason also I thought it might show more gratitude were married to send a few lines herself. Well, well this was all done in course and I went away to post it and a paper with the account of the “Shaws” match, just as I was going away to sight my new rifle at a range near Partick.

I had forgot my bullets and in the hurry back posted the two without affixing stamps, so back the letter came from Edinburgh - too late to send away again. I suppose the paper is long since consigned to the furnace. I am writing now on the eve of a trip to Edinburgh where a County rifle match comes off. I can only hope for luck.

p.3) Whether or no, I will send you a paper containing each day’s shooting. In a week afterwards I go to Wimbledon, so you see I have my work cut out. I have written to and heard from your father. He is coming to see us before he sails. I have our photographs ready to send out by him. The two are in one frame so that we must be looked at as indivisible even in “Morocco”. --

I have had the pleasure, today, of - what you never could guess, I am certain, - of the introduction to Mrs Peter Robertson. He and she were down thro’ the field in uniform. Honeymoon, week first, day seventh. Gold laced cap. White gauze veil, double ringed finger. White lace mantilla.

p.4) White silk waistcoat. “Exhibition” crinoline. I had little time with them but indicated you as a faithful correspondent, notwithstanding Peter's inclination to think the contrary. He looks a good deal older for the ten odd years that have flown since the old hot & cold time when Peter and I used to speak to you without addressing each other. He is on leave & full pay 12 pounds per month, has a nice looking English girl for a wife. I don't envy him at all, and wish him and his all heart happiness. See if you cannot do something now, for I shall certainly blame your pluck(?).

Mary joins me in sending our warmest regards to you with best wishes and compts to John and Willie. With apologies for unusual brevity I hope to hear from you soon. I remain yours as ever,

Wm Moodie

John sends compts to you as well

P.S. I open this to say that yours of 23rd April has arrived for which I am very thankful. Glad to hear that all is well. WM

Mary's best thanks for her nice letter. She is very proud and flattered at your friendship. 

This letter has been transcribed using Google voice typing (apologies for any inaccuracies or grammatical oddities).

I have inserted some extra paragraph breaks for ease of reading, and the numbers at the start of lines show the start of a new page, e.g. p.2).

Scans of the original letter (click on the image below for a larger version; note the order of the pages p.4-1, then p.2-3):

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p.4 extra

William (& Mary) Moodie – Letter 36 - from Busby, Scotland, 1862

Letter to friend Alex in Australia (written by William's wife, Mary) from Busby, Scotland, 14^th May. 1862_4 pages

This envelope may have been from a letter written by Alex's father (I don't have a May letter for him); Mary Moodie's May letter (below) was returned as it had no stamps, so later enclosed with Wm's June letter

Dear friend

I am deputed to send you a short note by this mail. William’s time has been completely take up this week, or he would have written.

I have to thank you for your handsome present, it arrived all safe on William’s birthday precisely. It looks quite elegant on our little parlour table, you need entertain no fears of its having turned out a “duffer”.

We were a little disappointed that we had no letter last mail, but hope soon to hear from you. You will notice in the accompanying paper an account of the shooting match between Busby(?) and Pollokshaws, and John made the highest score. You may be sure it was a night of rejoicing in our little village.

I hope you are enjoying good health, you will have got rid of the intense heat, it is our turn now, I suppose you will laugh when we speak of hot weather.

D. Galbraith has resigned the foremanship of the engraving and my brother in law, A. Houston, has been fortunate enough to fall into the situation. They had too many hands and were discharging some but old Wakefield(?) said to keep the two Moodies by all means, they were very decent fellows and had been with them for a long time. The engravers presented David with a pretty little silver snuff box and pen case when he left.

Wm will write by next mail and it will make up for what this wants in interest and length. You must excuse me as I am very hurried for time.

We are very happy dear Alexander in our own house and often wish you similar joys and comforts in the land of your adoption. We join in sending kind love and prayers for your continued prosperity

I am your affectionate friend

Mary Moodie

William send compliments to your brothers.

Scans of the original letter (click on the image below for a larger version; note the order of the pages p.4-1, then p.2-3):

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Alexr Dick _Letter No. 67 from Glasgow, Scotland, 1862

Letter #67 to son Alex in Australia

                                                                                                                         Glasgow, 25th.April, 1862

My Dear Son,

I have yours of 20th.Feb'y. I wrote via Southampton by this mail, but as you expect an answer in June, I also write via Marseilles.

The three black crows over again.

Mrs. Moore says I expressed myself willing to return to Australia if you had a comfortable home for me. I said to Mrs. Moore that I believed that if I had remained in Australia I would not have been alive and that I would never return willingly unless there was a prospect of a brick or stone house to live in. But I did not give anyone to understand that I had a wish to return. Had my mind taken that turn I would have let you know or perhaps started off.

I have not given up hopes of assisting myself and I still think it just as well for all parties that I should remain where I am a little longer. I could not help smiling at John Leckie's version and I am much gratified by the ebullition of feeling it called for on your part. Your kind endeavours to do all in your power to make rne comfortable fills me with the livliest satisfaction. Your remittance of 5£ again is an earnest of your sincerity. 'With the most grateful emotions I return you my sincere thanks. Unless I had been liberally assisted by my sons it is plain I would have been penniless and working myself to death for a subsistence. I must thank Mr. McGee for his concurrence in your plans for my comfort. Your offer is just the thing, whether you were married or single.

I am better off than when I wrote 6 days ago and should a job cast up a fortnight hence I think I will be fit for starting. James Rattary is a manufacturer of gass burners in Bridgeton.

Our American friends have been fighting in earnest at Pittsburgh, 70,000 a side. After two day's severe fighting it appears no decided advantage was acquired. The papers give both sides the victory. The loss is not known yet. I see the opinion of our statesmen is that the North and South must seperate. All hopes of the two parties working together is now at an end and the sooner the seperation is an accomplished fact the better. Meanwhile great distress prevails in the cotton manufacturing districts and a tide of emigration is setting in to Canada, Australia, New Zealand &c. And the two parties are getting fiercer in America and there is no hope of an early termination of hostilities. The papers assert that France is urging Britain to join in remonstrating against further fighting and to propose terms of peace, but I believe the time has not come for the European powers to mediate with a prospect of success. The South has declared for free trade with all the world except the North. The North will have a debt of two hundred million pounds sterling directly.

There is a serious move to raise the qualifications for voters in Canada. War panics will be at an end with you as well as with us. The breathing is fitly occupied in experimenting to ascertain what sort of ships are to be most suitable for attack or defence and what size of cannon can be used with most advantage,

I can conceive you spent a pleasant and interesting night with Mrs. Moore &c. You would hear of many changes, funny, curious and melancholy. And Mrs. Moore would see a change in A. Dick too. The visit of Mr.& Mrs. King and J & W would be gratifying and interesting to all. Expecting McGee, Dick &. Co will be found competent to conduct their precarious business successfully,

I remain, your affectionate Father,

Alex'r Dick.

Names & Notes on Letter #67

Mrs. Moore &c.

John Leckie

Mr. McGee

James Rattery

Mr.& Mrs. King

- transcription and Names/Notes by Ian A Scales, c.1989  (note- the ‘original’ transcription was in printed format on paper, and has been re-formatted using OCR – so may have some inaccuracies which have escaped my editing – C. S-P)

Scans of the original letter (click on the image below for a larger version; note the order of the pages p.4-1, then p.2-3):

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p.2,3