Alexr Dick _Letter No. 22 from Busby, Scotland, 1855

Alexr's Last letter for 1855 to his son Alex (still digging for gold in Ballarat) contains much local gossip and paragraphs from John and William, Alex's brothers.

Letter #22 to son Alex in Australia               

 

                               Busby 1st. Decr. 1855

My Dear Son,

Yours of the 13th.Augt.carne to hand on Thursday. You are hale, hearty and still the prospect of making two ends meet. That is enough. Then there is no use for writing apologies or, worse, dreaming. We are indulging thoughts not altogether pure. Away with all such nonsense. That you told your plain story free off hand was taken on trust just as it ought to be. The future is as dim in Australia as in England. And as prosperity ebbs and flows, so will every sojouner in Australia change his mind about his relatives sailing thither. There is nothing going wrong with us here. Only, your brothers are anxious to join you should it be in appearance for the benefit of all concerned. Digging is no child's play. Anyone at such work in this country would be pitied. Jack is still at Govan with Todd & McGregor and Will'm (viz It) is still in the Gallowgate. He boasts of being 5 feet 11. He lost his health before he left Jackton and got rather weak. In consequence a swelling commenced under his chin. The doctor said it would pass away as he got strong, but it turned to a running. Otherwise he is quite healthy.

Alex'r Russell's old uncle died and divided his money equally amongst his numerous relatives. Sandy (viz. little Black) and Annie get £6 each per year until they are 23 years old. Then they get £130 each and my sister gets £55 when the propertys are disposed of. This relieved me of all anxiety about their wants.

Margret Wilson married Robert Duncan, baker, the occupant of her brother Willie's old shop in Busby. Willie is thriving at the Bakery in Australia at the Maryborough diggings. Margret Hunter married a Jas. Robertson. His father has the lease of a coal pit about Ayrshire. Jas.is his clerk. David Alexander has been much reduced with bowel complaint. He is getting better. He has been 6 weeks of work. Old John Semple has gone fairly wrong in his mind. He is now an inmate of Gartnavel Asylum. John McCubbin, John Brown and William Steven are labourers to the NS.Wales Steam Navigation Company. Wages 9/- per day, board 25/- per week. Peter McCubbin and Agnes go out directly. John (??) writes much as you do. He says there are a great many idle people, yet those that are willing to work and steady have a better chance than in this country. John Twaddel leaves Busby when David is able to resume his seat. He has opened a house at 112 Candleriggs where soups, steaks, chops, coffee, tea &c may be obtained of the best quality, charges moderate. I saw Mr. White and walked with him from Busby to Bauldy Smith's. He mentioned your unfortunate jewellery speculation. Cheer up young heart, it was but serving your apprenticeship. Report.has it that White will marry Miss Melvill. Several children have died of Scarletina in this village since my last.

The machines at Busby works are fully employed at Madder work & de Laines and ther is some appearance that there will be a little done with the blocks this spring yet. Mr. Wakefield lives in the house where Mr. Miller lived and it is said he will occupy it some time. He is very frank about the work. And Mrs. Singleton & Peter Rice have got married. I must go over John Buchanan's list. Dr. Ross, no change only Mrs. Gay and family live with him. David is noticed above. J. Nimmo is foreman now, has 2 children alive, Mary Ann & James, and is still curious in Botany. Jas. Thompson is just the same man in the same place. Thos. McEwan is foreman drawer. He married Barbara Livsey, they have one child. H. McLetchie got married, as you know, no family yet. Myself you know all about. Mary Maxwell, alias Mrs.Humphreys has had a son, David.

My Dear Brother, I am happy to think you are still in good health. I hope you will get plenty of lumps in your hole which will enable you to keep above ground in a much more comfortable situation than digging in a dirty wet hole. I would be quite willing to take a job alongside you down among the real stuff, whenever you give the word of command. Peter Robertson sends his compliments to you. He would have written to you before this had we not being intending to take our departure soon, but as that has stopped he will write you soon. We had a visit from Joseph Docherty last Sunday. He is in good health and intend to write you per next mail. William & I are still at the joiner trade yet, learning as fast as we possible can, hoping to be pretty fair hands when we arrive in Austrilia. There is little prospect of our being able to make any money here. Although our trade is pretty brisk, yet provisions are very dear.

Your affectionate Brother, John Dick

Dear Brother, it is a long time since I wrote to you before. I suppose you would be thinking I had
forgotten you altogether. I was always expecting to join you soon and I think it would be as good a job as we could do as I have no fancy for being a humdrum door and window making machine all my life. I can make a window to perfection, but I have not had much practice at doors. I understand them quite well. I would be quite agreable to take a twist at the diggings or work at the jouner trade which suited ever best. I think it would be a good chance if you could get the store started as it would be much rnor
comfortable than digging in a wet hole. However, one can put up with a good deal when it is
remunerative. Glad to hear you are healthy and stout and wishing my neck were better and you good
fortune in your hole.                                      Your Affectionate Brother, Wm Dick

I hope you have got the worst of it past in Australia now and that you will be able to live more comfortably than the term goldigger implies, and in a way where more opportunities of cultivating and informing the mind will be obtained. And where you could & would be an ornament to the social & spiritual circle. Our war is still the chief topic. Peace is not to be thought of is the cry. In times of strife men get mad and the few reasonable calm men of sound judgement are hunted to corners. But the hubub will pass away and men will come to reason. And afterwards, as in the case of the American and French wars, the following generation will damn our insanity. Peace as soon as possible.

I am, Your Affectionate Father,

Alex'r Dick

Names & Notes on Letter #22

Mary, Sandy & Annie Russell

Margret & Willie Wilson

Robert Duncan

Margret Hunter

Jas. Robertson

David Alexander

John Semple

John McCubbin

John Brown

William Steven

Peter McCubbin & Agnes

John Twaddel

Mr. White

Bauldy Smith

Miss Melvill

Mr. Wakefield

Mr. Miller

Mrs. Singleton

Peter Rice

John Buchanan

Dr. Ross

Mrs .Gay

J. Nimmo,

Mary Ann & James.

Jas. Thompson

Thos. McEwan

Barbara Livsey

H. McLetchie

Mary Maxwell, alias Mrs. Humphries & David

Peter Robertson

Joseph Docherty

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