Letter #13 to son Alex in Australia
Busby, Sept. 2nd., 1854
My Dear Son,
I had a note from William Moody saying he had got a letter from you and
you were bookkeeper and getting considerably more pay. This is pleasant. Different
from roads and serving masons &c. Well I think you will manage your
fortune in ten years and get back comfortably to old Scotland should health and
life be continued. The cutting and printing continue very dull. Neil Mclnnes
has a spirit shop in Main Street, Gorbals and Thos. his brother has another in the same
street doing a good trade. A good number of printers and cutters are emigrating
to America & Australia. John Singleton was for Australia, but he died of
cholera a fortnight ago. Jack & William are quite hearty at the wright
trade, but contemplate being off to Australia in May unless we have counter
orders from you and I think your opinion is on the way by this time. Both are getting stouter
and William is in better health. You will say what clothing, food &c.is
proper for the voyage. William Wilson, the baker, intends going to Australia in
a month or two, so there will be plenty of Kent folks scattered about the Yarra
Yarra. I have nothing now of our friends in Camlachie or Bonhill. All well is
all I have to say.
Machine printing is pretty brisk at Busby. They make good work now, much
better than when you were here, so the blocks have less chance. The blocks have
had a small turn of a new kind of style. The
delaines are dyed and covered with the machine, same as formerly, on the top.
The printers put Ultramarine Blue and Yellow oil paint. This has been their
chief work these some months. Mr. Crum bought the range of houses Donald
McKellar lived in for £480 the other day. Mr. Kippen died some time ago and
part of his property is for sale as you will gather from the accompanying
newspaper. You will see also we are getting an abundant harvest and we will
have cheaper provisions for some time. The blockade of Russian ports and fleets
still continues. Charlie Napier tried his hand at a fortress and did the job
well, but I hope you will get the
newspaper.
It may be that this is the last letter you will be able to acknowledge
the receipt of before May. I will write again by the October mail. I wrote by
the August mail. We have had several deaths by cholera in this village but we
have all kept our health. Old Mr. Wallace died some time ago, worn out by old
age. Mr. Henderson of Carmunnock is completely broken up. He was some time in
the asylum, but is better now. His daughter got married and he lives with her
at Airdrie under the charge of a keeper. Several of our printing masters have failed that were in the
Paisley shawl trade, but the most part got a settlement and got jogging on.
John Nimmo had a newspaper from you last mail, but I did not get one and
your letter by Mr. Sloan is my last. I expect one the beginning of October.
That will settle whether we try Australia or no. Jack gets sixpence more per week. His
master (Peddie in Cathcart) intends going out to Melbourne next year. Geo. Mains
may be thankful he went out seeing he has prospered. He would have had a poor
job of it here. I hope to be ready for a plateful of kail by the time I see
him. I hope you cultivate a taste for literature and that you are acquiring
such knowledge as a man eminent in your business requires. But religion is the
purifier of the mind. It makes a moral man and must not be neglected. If you
wish any books or anything whatever let us know. Peter Robertson keeps in good
health and in high resolve for Australia. So next year will be an eventful year
if we are all spared. Hoping the best
I remain
Your Affectionate Father,
Alex'r Dick
I was too long in resolving to write. It is past time.
Names & Notes on Letter #15
William Moody
Neil Mclnnes
Thos. Mclnnes
John Singleton
William Wilson
Mr. Crum
Donald McKellar
Mr. Kippen
Charlie Napier
Mr. Wallace
Mr. Henderson
John Nimmo
Mr. Sloan
Mr. Peddie
Geo. Mains
Peter Robertson
- transcription
and Names/Notes by Ian A Scales, c.1989
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