This letter was written to Alex by Alexr (snr) after receiving a letter home, which must have included the news of the death of John Leckie's son on the voyage (there were 19 deaths, 17 of which were children).
Alex's brother William ('Tot'), then almost 15, adds a paragraph in the letter. Brother John (Jack) was away at the time.
Letter
#2 to son Alex in Australia
Busby,
25/7/1853
My Dear Son,
Your very welcome letter arrived on the 6th.of July. By yours of Dec'r
we saw you were in a slow coach and we did not expect you to get to Melbourne
any sooner than you did but all sorts of reports were circulating in Glasgow.
One in a mad house, another dead and so on so you may be sure letters were anxiously
looked for.
From paying some attention to the letters of emigrants I see Australia is
not quite an Eden and you are tasting the sour before the sweet. I hope the
sweet will follow. I am pleased with the tone of your letter and I have no doubt you have the spirit necessary for your new occupation. Pay great attention
to the quality and to the cooking of your victuals. A few years of labour now
may relieve you from toil in your old age. But while everyone thinks of nothing
but Gold cultivate the fear of God in your heart and love your neighbour as
yourself. You will not lose thereby.
With John Leckie's loss I can sympathise. It must
have been agonising for Mrs. Leckie. We have had deaths among your acquaintance
since you went away James Munn, Willie Loudon and young David Michael Temple and John Aitcheson are gone. Mr. R. C. Gay is
very weak and to all appearance will have shuffled his mortal coil before you
read this. Marjory Maxwell got married. Emigrants to Melbourne -Tilda Moore
married a Baker and sailed in the Abdalla in April. John Bain & wife
(William Hunter's son in law) sailed in the Hurricane in June. John White,
Mechanic and James Wilson (son of Hugh Wilson at the Brigg) sail tomorrow. And
others think of following. How would it be for me to go were I to have fifty
pounds clear on my arrival. A. Barrie's brother died before you arrived in
Melbourne. His widow and family have a Blacksmith's shop in Melbourne. You do not say why you did not become a
shepherd or apprentice as a joiner or Blacksmith. Are these jobs overstocked. I
suppose you took the best and readiest way of getting to the diggings. John
Donahue is at the 0vens diggings. Hugh Wilson's sons are still doing
well. John Rattary is married.
The wages earned by apprentice cutters at Barrhead tempted William to
leave Busby, for that Mr.Miller paid Jack off he went to Barrhead likewise.
They were both doing well but the cutters have a strike at Barrhead and Paisley
so they have been some weeks out of work. From the state of matters would think
it (the strike) will be soon settled. There were lots of Newspapers sent after you and I wrote you
and a paper on the Ist. January. John Twaddle sends a copy of the Illustrated
London News. David, Alpine &c. are hale and hearty. I saw James Dick at Glasgow fair he is still buying and
selling. He likes your letter and thinks there is no fear of you. Auntie and
Alex'r are in their usual way and have their complimients. Auntie and the wee Black were a week or
two with us. We all went down to Millport at the fair. Wet weather and those
that took pleasure trips had a miserable job.
The Moody's all left Busby and started in
their own account in Leven. But
Willie has written you. Bathea Semple and her mother are living in Paisley. I think I have put all the
scraps of news down such as please one that is far away. I know the thirst for Gold will not be quite so
strong as to prevent you taking time to read such items with pleasure.
I fancy the discomforts of the voyage could just fit you for taking to
the tent without hesitation and the new heavens and the new earth with their
marvels cheer and elevate the mind. You must sometimes peep into a book. The wisdom of the living and of the dead is
there and literature gives a manly and generous impulse to the mind with all
your gettings get knowledge. The intelligent are ever the best the civilised
and the most likely to succeed. I need not be writing opinions or giving
instruction. You will judge according to what you see passing around you what line of occupation to follow.
Sandy, I am happy to hear
you have arrived safe and that you have found employment and I hope that you
are in good health and spirits. I
suppose you would find the roads rather a difficult job at first. I should like very well to
get out but I suppose there would be no use for Jack or me coming out without
we could do a bit to the joiner business. I'll mabey learn to write before I come out. Your
affectionate brother, William Dick.
That's Tot, Jack is away to Denny to see Jack
Blisby else he would have written a bit likewise. There has been no slack to
speak of at Busby this season. A Mr. Taylor got John Leckie's place he was
transferred to the counting house. James Cunnuningham our old printer was
buried today 27th. Mr Gay is very weak. The mail leaves Southampton on the
4th.of August. I have written early to be sure of being in time. I expect if we
are spared it will not be many years before I see you in Australia. Though 50
years of age I am strongly tempted to try my hand at the diggings or some other
Australian job. Your climate is loosing in some points yet it seems to renovate
old folks and I indulge a notion it will yet make a hardy navy of me. May you
be preserved from the evil of the world.
I remain your
affecionate Father,
Alex'r Dick.
NAMES & NOTES on LETTER #2
James Munn, Willie Loudon and young David Michael
Temple and John Aitcheson are dead.
Mr.R.C.Gay is very weak.
Marjory Maxwell
Tilda Moore (Muir) - my great aunt.
John Bain & wife (William Hunter's son in law) sailed in the
Hurricane in June.
John White, Mechanic and James Wilson (son of Hugh
Wilson at the Brigg) sail tomorrow.
A.Barrie
John Donahue is at the Ovens diggings.
Hugh Wilson
John Rattary is married.
John Twaddle
David, Alpine &c.
James Dick - Alexander's cousin
Bathea Sample
Jack Blisby
James Cunnuningham our old printer was buried
- transcription and Names/Notes by Ian A Scales, 1989
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