Alexr Dick _Letter No. 6 from Busby, Scotland, 1853

More local news, including local printing works, the new water wheel, and cholera; also mention of the war in Turkey.

Letter #6 to son Alex in Australia.

                              Busby. 31st.Oct. 1853

My Dear Son,

I said my next would likely go with William Wilson. But I have yours per Queen of the South on the 13th. and yours per Essex on the 19th. So I thought it best to acknowledge the receipt of them. You would likely giv up that per Essex for lost. There is no change for the better in Busby print works. J. Hunter, the drawer is put off in the meantime. There is only one pattern in the cutting and drawing shop, whereas you will remember Drawers and Cutters used to be quite throng at this season. A great number of the printers are at labouring work. Busby masters are putting up a new water wheel and widening the lead at the old London shop for the wheel and some of the Printers are at that.

I am happy you are making your position better and better. I trust you will better and better it for many a year and live long to bless the day you sailed for Australia. Jack and William are still at the wright trade and will continue at it until May. They make no doors or windows yet. We will see what your future letters say. Mr. Lechtie and Catherine White got married.

Cholera is still among us but the cases are getting fewer. Jas. Hall had two children, a girl the elder and a boy. The boy died on Saturday of Cholera. A. Thompson, precentor in Busby church died a fortnight ago. John Calderwood the Smith lost his wife and his apprentice and a woman he got to keep house. This is Hallowe'en and a fine clear night. The dulness of trade prevented the usual soiree from taking place. The committee and a few friends have met, Jack among them, and say to Faither Leckie the teetotallers are still rampant in Busby and Mr J. Wilson at their head. Our street is crowded with noisy juveniles and green Kail stocks and turnip lanters are in high honour. Nothing like it on Geelong streets past or future.

William Wilson and his sister intend to sail in the James Baines from Liverpool on the 15th.Nov. John Brown, Alex'r Dick and Will'm Steven, Engraver, sail for Sidney next week. News of the fall of Sebastopol arrived as I closed my last. The authorities at Constantinople have been imposed upon by a Tartar. The French and English forces landed and gained a victory on the heights of Alma. A newspaper I sent will give you a full account of this. The bombardment of Sebastopol is carried on by sea and land, it must soon fall. I will send you a paper.

Faither Leckie does not expect me to put down some dozen names adding all well, all in their usual. But anthing important among your old friends I put down. Our friends at Carnlachie are in their usual. Most of the folk in Australia from this quarter send cheering accounts home but some complain of want of work &c. I fancy we must try what we can do in Australia notwithstanding. Jack and William are quite disposed to venture. They have no doubt of being brilliant lads. So unless you have judged it wise to consel further delay and for William to gain more experience at his business we start. We have got an agreeable sort of old Irishwoman to keep house. Jack thinks of coming home every night all winter, William on Saturday only.

The spirit rapping made some noise in its day in our isle and Glasgow had an astounding notic in
the papers of a visit of two Ladies Learned in the mystery from America. The Wizard of the North
however took the opportunity to fill his house by opening the public eyes to the humbug. Chairs
and tables danced or moved about at the word of command. Bells answered questions. The wizard
laid all bare. The two ladies did come forth. So our. ? is just--------- ? as wont.

One mistake in your letter. You say the unsold land in Australia belongs to the Colony. A great mistake. All your unsold land belongs to Great Britain by right of discovery and being at the expense of taking possession.

Your letter for David has not arrived, I have sent 4 letters in 4 successive months and I intend my next on 1st. January. A paper per F. Henty has just come, postage 1d. Our postage is reduced. I pay 6d for this letter.

Your Affectionate

Father

Alex'r Dick

Names & Notes on Letter #6

William Wilson

'Queen of the South'

'Essex'

J. Hunter

Mr. Lechtie

Catherine White

Jas. Hall

A. Thompson

John Calderwood

Faither Leckie

J. Wilson

William Wilson &sister

'James Baines'

John Brown

Alex'r Dick

Wm Steven

- transcription and Names/Notes by Ian A Scales, c.1989