Letter #3 to son Alex in
Australia
Busby, 31/8/1853
My Dear Son,
Your cheering news from the diggings (on government roads) arrived on the 17th.August and
your newspapers of April & May at the same time. You are now fairly set
agoing as a navy and it is to be hoped that a few years of that (if spared) will
lead to somewhat more comfortable. Tis well you have set a stout heart to your
circumstances. We trust your health will enable you to persevere and all will
prosper with you.
There are a great number of Kent folk in Melbourne. Jas. Mclntyre is in
a shop. Thos. Kinlock has got there to keep shop. Jean Wilson's husband is with
Mr. Sloan (he married Kirsty Smith of Busbyside), brickmaker, two miles from
Melbourne. Catherine Cassidy is with a Mr. Orr about 50 miles from Melbourne. From paying some attention
to the news from Australia I see there is no other than laborious work to be
looked for in Australia. 'Tis a comfort that it is profitable. John Nimmo had a
letter from Mr. Wilson from Bendigo diggings. He invites more diggers cost of living 5/- per
day gains 20/-.
I am somewhat inclined to come out. William and John can keep themselves
now so I will leave my more than disagreeable job. William is rather young for
such rough work. I will, I think, let him and Jack remain. I think April a good
time for leaving this to be in Australia in the spring.
An acquaintance will lend me some money. I will, if all goes favourably,
have £50 on arriving in Melbourne and put my hand to anything. This is only in
contemplation, not by any means fixed.
Mr. Wallace has not arrived yet. Mr. Alexander has done little good at
the diggings. Since my last little has ocurred worth noting. Mr. Gay died about
the end of July. Janet Holmes will get married next week. There are to be 10
more cylinders to be put up at Busbyfield where the Broom sheds stand, they will be shifted
farther up the brae. The cutter's strike was settled 3 weeks ago. William and
John are at Barrhead, they always come home on Saturdays. It is a pleasant
thing to hear that John Leckie has been fortunate in getting an agreeable job.
I trust John will be a burning and shining light as he intended. By your paper
of May I see your winter has set in and I reckon you are down in Melbourne to pass the winter. You
have by no means an agreeable job of it. I hope you will have health and spirit
to push through.
I wrote you on New Year's Day and by the mail of 4th.of Aug't, this goes
by the mail of 4th.Sept. We have sent several newspapers, one goes with this
letter. Trade is very good in this country. Ireland is sending thousands to
America and there are still hundreds leaving for Australia.
It will be something new for us all to be living in a tent working on
roads or in a hole for gold. A change not dreamed of 2 years ago but now has no
great improbability about it. Jack is in a great way. He wishes he could get
out. Tot is still complaining a little and is not minding much. I have some fear sometimes when I read some newspaper
paragraphs that I would not be able to stand the killing labour. Other
paragraphs however accommodate the labour to ordinary frames. This inspires
with hopes then thinks I'll go so here I arn unresolved. Yet that there are
better opportunities for making money in Australia than here in the meantime is
plain. I fancy your uncivilized contrast disagreeably with the society you left
behind and cause you to wish you had your fireside with you more than you
otherwise would do. It might do well for us to be altogether. We are all
tolerably stout but I think Tot is better at home a year or two yet and Jack
with him.
If you try some business be an honest and honourable dealer. These are the chaps that prosper through life and live happy.
Cheats may thrive for a wee, it is only for a wee and they never know what a
light heart is or if you enter the service of a dealer the highest honour is to be found faithful, no
peace of mind in crooked ways and fortify yourself against temptation by
reading the scriptures and conversing with God.
I was at Camlachie on
Saturday. Uncle, Aunt and cousins all well and hearty and
very much delighted with the spirit of your letters. I had nearly forgot to
mention that John and William have bought 2 planes with the view of
learning the joiner trade but I am afraid that is all the progress they will
make this side of the Cape and that should they pass the cape they will just
have to be causey cleaners. The comfort is, that is a money making job and should grow into something better.
Hoping all will go well with you my Dear Son.
I remain,
Your affectionate
Father
Alex'r Dick.
NAMES & NOTES on LETTER
#3
Jas.Mclntyre
Thos.Kinlock
Jean Wilson's husband is with Mr .Sloan
Kirsty Smith
Catherine Cassidy
John Nimmo
Mr.Wilson at Bendigo
diggings
Mr.Wallace
Mr.Alexander
Janet Holmes
- transcription and
Names/Notes by Ian A Scales, 1989
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