Alexr Dick _Letter No. 41 from Glasgow, Scotland, 1859

Letter #41 to son Alex in Australia                  

                                           Glasgow, July 9th., 1859

My Dear Son,

I received two letters by last mail, one from you and one from William. I was well pleased Jack was at his trade at 13/- per day and William about to join him. It looked well. But the note same to hand; Jack off to Ararat and William to remain in the Gravel Pits, I have no doubt Jack had good reason for making the change for he must be wearied of digging. William gives no bulletin of his health, so I take it for granted he is robust again. He enquires about Andrew Rattary. Andrew is with a grocer in Anderston and thinks he will stick to the grocer trade and let printing alone.

I have been twice in Busby and I also feel some interest in its people. I saw D. Alexander lately; he is in good health and sends you his compliments. Laird Kippen is to build a row of dwelling houses between Dr. Ross's and the Black Castle. Bauldy Galbraith is gone. John Forrest has married Mary Ann Elliot. John was not paying fully for the child; Mary Ann summoned him. The dispute was settled by marriage. I saw John Twaddel; he is still with Mr. Denny. He has £20 more a year than he had at Busby and less work. He has given up all thoughts of emigrating; he sends you his best wishes.

I wrote nothing whatever about Australia to the papers, nor would I have been disposed to be so deprecatory. But a country containing only 400,000 inhabitants, with a Government that does not encourage a settled population, cannot expect to borrow 8 millions sterling on the most favourable terms.

I saw Duncan Roy. Tom has married Eliza Cargell. Tom and a partner have got a farm and got it stocked. I asked how Tom got money, Duncan said he did not know; it was explained in a letter, but he did not understand it. I suppose Duncan exaggerated a little as usual.

John McCubbin has gone to Dunoon to keep a fish shop. By his last letter it appears Peter had not married. Joseph Docherty is getting stout again. James Dick is in good health and little difference on him since you saw him. I have long given up all hopes of getting any proof of the parentage of Forbes and Douglas Dick, it is now 109 years since my father lived with their grandfather and his mother in Edinburgh and 99 years since my grandmother attended at the birth of Douglas Dick. But no registers can be found.

Auntie, Annie & Sandy are jogging on as usual, I have stopped with them this sometime. Since Daimonach got idle I have not managed to get a job. Glen is doing nothing and his work would no answer so well at any rate. Barrowfield paid off 15 journeymen, I will get into Higgenbotham's or Netherlee as soon as they get throng and that wont be long. And I have still got some cash, £8. That will do till I earn more. Block printing is very bad this year. Kilmarnock had the worst spring trade it has had for 9 years and the shawl shops generally did little good. I have found it fully worse than I expected to get work. Several works wont shop journeymen. But I have no doubt, but next mail you will hear of me being at work and that will be pleasant for us all. I have been better supplied by my sons than I could have expected in the circumstances you are all placed and I trust I will be able to find my own support henceforth.

I expect to hear of John King's gutter being somewhat rich and paying him handsomely for his long toil and blasted hopes. Mrs. King is wearied of shicers. I wish her much joy of her child. My compliments to Mrs. & Mr. Leckie. I sometimes picture myself Moorabool street and the shop and its worthy occupants. Remember to A. Dick, John Aitcheson and all our Busby friends.

Jack's second expedition to Ararat, was surely undertaken by invitation of parties on the spot and I trust he will not be di appointed this time. It is a mode of life unfavourable to the improvement of the mind and the joiner trade will be altogether forgot. They, viz William and Jack, will soon be old labouring men.

James Docherty joined a building society and he has now bought a house for £1500. He has paid £600 of it from his own savings. He says his success is chiefly owing to his trips to France and learning the French language and purchasing the books. He thus got a name that sits him at the top of the trade in Glasgow. There is nothing particular among our Leven friends. Joseph Wilson is improving very slowly. The joiner trade is improving slowly in Glasgow. They are paid 5d or 5 pence farthing per hour. Block cutters are in general very slack, but like printers, they are well off at some works all the year through.

I must say farewell again for the present. I trust you will all contend earnestly, honourably and successfully with the world and that the good time coming is not far distant. William Wilson from Busby gets on at a great rate. He has got a hotel and writes to Alex'r to sell off and go out, but Alex'r declines. He says he is doing well at home.

The papers will inform you of our change of ministry, of Bloody battles with the French, Sardinians and Austrians, all for the good of Italy.

I am your affectionate Father, Alex'r Dick.

There is a large addition built to the mansion house at Busbyfield. I saw Will Campbell. I give you his yarn: Mr. Crum is going to put up 150 looms at Busby and there has been a seam of ironstone discovered at Jackton. And there is to be a railroad from Glasgow to Eagleshame directly. Will had a quarrel in the field and left. His lip was cut for cancer and he is not quite recovered.

Names & Notes on Letter #41

Andrew Rattary

D. Alexander

Laird Kippen

Dr. Ross

Bauldy Galbraith

John Forrest

Mary Ann Elliot

John Twaddel

Mr. Denny

Duncan Roy

Torn Roy

Eliza Cargell

John McCubbin

Peter McCubbin

Joseph Docherty

James Dick

Forbes & Douglas Dick

William Dick (A's father)

Mary Dalgleish (A's g/mother)

Mary Russell, Annie & Sandy

Glen (?)

John & Mrs. King

Mrs. & Mr. Leckie

A. Dick (no relation?)

John Aitcheson

James Docherty

Joseph Wilson

William Wilson

Alex'r Wilson

Will Campbell

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

Scans of the original letter (click on the thumbnail below for a larger image):

Alexr Dick _Letter No. 40 from Glasgow, Scotland, 1859

There is an envelope from Dumbarton (from Wm Moodie?) postmarked 12 May, but no matching letter; the next letter we have is from Alex's father, dated 19 May.

Letter #40 to son Alex in Australia                      

                          Glasgow, 19th.May, 1859

My Dear Son,

I now send the receipt for the package containing Miss Strickland's "Life of Mary". Cost £2-8 and carriage 13s. They have charged more for carriage than I expected, to Liverpool 1 /6d., shipping 1/-. The post office charge for books is 1 /4d per lb. and I suppose it would be delivered in Geelong. So the post office would have been the better way.

The perusal will give you great pleasure, add to your knowledge of mankind and enlighten you on a portion of your country's history. Perhaps Jack & William will see it through time.

The Australian mail is telegraphed from Suez. A shaft had broken and delayed her 9 days.

Our winter has departed at last and we have now fine summer weather. And wreathes of leaves in beautiful green adorn the trees. This is Her Majesty's birthday and cheap trips are announced in all directions by flood and field. I saw Jas. Rattary, he does not intend to return to Australia, his passage home cost him in all £130. He is establishing agents through England for Brow & Polson. Geo. Richardson has charge of the finishing department at Busby. I have done nothing since I wrote, but I have no fear.

Our elections are nearly over, 353 liberals, 299 Derby's returned.

The war is causing great uneasiness from the mischievious propensity to rush into all quarrels being hereditary in our Aristocracy. The belligerants have not met in force yet and the inundations of the Po may keep them separate, for some time.

I should like to hear of a turn of fortune for the deserving J. King, I hope Mrs. King and her babe are doing well and that Mr.& Mrs. Leckie are comfortable.

I expect to hear of William continuing in good health and meeting with better fortune. Jack is out of the quarry and I hope at something more congenial to his spirit. I trust the day is not far distant when all three will be in a better sphere, ascending in the scale courageously and honourably. The motto, steady perseverance. With my best wishes and paternal regard,

        I remain

Your affectionate Father, Alex'r Dick.

Names & Notes on Letter #40

Jas. Rattary

Brow & Polson

Geo. Richardson

J. & Mrs. King

Mr.& Mrs. Leckie

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

Scans of the original letter (click on the thumbnail below for a larger image):

Alexr Dick _Letter No. 39 from Glasgow, Scotland, 1859

Letter #39 to son Alex in Australia                   

                                     Glasgow, 10th.May, 1859

My Dear Son,

I have yours of the 12th.Feb'y with a remittance of £.5. I am not forgot and I may feel thankful you have all borne yourselves so kindly. I got on with my work very well at Daimonach but our spring style is up. the salesman sent up a lot of the goods to Glasgow without being blocked. He said he would sell them as they were to more advantage. Cheap goods are all the go. I expect to be shoped in a few days. Perhaps at Cadale I have no fear of getting on and of perhaps saving. I require no further aid at present. I would like to hear of a little capital being accumulated in Australia and a business begun, lose or win.

I have sent Miss Strickland's "Life of Queen Mary" by the 'Royal Charter', directed to Mr. Leckie. The 'Royal Charter' sails on the 15th. I am to pay carriage but the receipt and charge have not yet come from Liverpool. It is in a small box, 5 volumes.

I am sorry to hear of William's old complaint returning. His state of health was one of my chief reasons for going to Australia and if not established on an improved scale my Australian trip has been a failure in all respects. The 'Great Britain' has arrived and our papers are sounding new gold fields and improved conditions of the working classes. I trust some improvement will come in the way of Jack & William.

I was at Busby. Your old friends are all prosperous. Alpine has 3 children. The question you allude to was an oblong garden, say 100 by 200. You were correct otherwise. Joseph Docherty had an attack of his old complaint and was almost despaired of. He appears now in a fair way of getting round and is working at home. Peter Robertson is still in a Government steamer carrying Ambassadors and Royal Princes and Princess to & fro. John Rattary has passed away and Thos. McEwan is at Higginbotham's. He is trying to get rid of his wife. She is getting more and more savage. T. Roy has got no work. He lives with Cargill and the McCubbins are married. A young woman had lent Peter several sums of money. Marriage was the most convenient settlement. George Richardson has lost his situation. Auntie, Annie and Sandy are keeping their health. Annie is at the loom, Sandy in the shop. There is no improvement on Joseph Wilson, but James and Margery are quite well and all David Maxwell's family are hearty.

We have war on the Continent. Austria against Sardinia and France. Russia is believed to be ready to join against Austria if need be. Our papers give out that France and Russia have Turkey and Egypt in view should events favour their wishes. It is believed France has not been straightforward with our minister and that Derby & Co. have been rather duped.

Derby was defeated by the liberals on reform and dissolved Parliament. The elections are not quite over, but the "Times" says Derby will still be in a minority and that Russell Palmerston and Co. are likely to be the future men. The papers give today members returned 586. Liberals 324, Derby's 262. So we may look for a reform bill and another dissolution. As the chief reforms we have to look forward to in this country are reduction of expenditure and reduction of duties. War will prevent any good being done in that way. So we may have a reform bill and no reform in legislation.

I met with a cotton broker in Glasgow the other day. He told me that cotton spinning is being monopolised by the English, that their superior machinery is taking the trade from the Scotch and there is far less cotton spun in Glasgow than used to be. I could hardly believe such was the case, but he assured me the consumpt of cotton had fallen off greatly in Scotland of late.

I have got a newspaper per 'Great Britain'. You have a dissolution of Parliament too. All your long wished for mining and land bills are coming, hurrah.

I fear the Australian mail is behind this time. We ought to have had notice by per telegram of its arrival at Suez eight days ago but there is no notice yet. Our old servant, Anne Cairns, is married and living about 7 miles from Melbourne. She writes her mother that she wishes she had stopt at home. She had difficulty to make a liveliehood as a servant. Loudon did not get the articles his father sent with Ann.

It is so far satisfactory that all my former acquaintance in Australia are managing to get their grub. G. Mains has got a job when I thought I would never get one. Jack wont like to burn lime with Mr. McLaren, I hope he will meet with something more suitable. William will likely keep to the gravel pits till the company wind up as their is no saying where the big nugget is lying.

The joiner trade is not fully recovered at home and cutters are not well employed, I get to Dumbarton by steamer 4d, by Rail 6d, by Rail to Alexandria 10d and then you can whirl on by Drymen to Stirling and circle round to Glasgow.

A hope that a turn of fortune's wheel, or a master stroke of enterprize will place you all in a more comfortable position and I may hear of my sons being classed with the great, the honourable and the praiseworthy.

I am your affectionate father,

Alex'r Dick.

Names & Notes on Letter #59

'Royal Charter'

Mr.Leckie

'Great Britain'

Alpine

Joseph Docherty

Peter Robertson

John Rattary

Thos. McEwan

T. Roy

Carqill

McCubbin

Peter McCubbin

Geo. Richardson

Mary Russell, Annie & Sandy

Joseph Wilson

James & Margery Wilson

David Maxwell

Palmerston

Anne Cairns

Loudon

G. Mains

Mr. McLaren

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

Scans of the original letter (click on the thumbnail below for a larger image):

William Moodie – Letter 19 - from Dumbarton, Scotland, April 1859

Wm Moodie Letter  - Apr. 13^th 1859 – 8 pages

- excerpts (using ‘Google’ transcription). Scans of the original letter pages are below.

Dumbarton,  13th of Apr 1859

P.1) Dear Alex,

I have received now, ….your long letter describing the new year at Melbourne, which is about as good a one as you have ever written to me and that is saying not a little. ….

P. 2) I would like to see you in business for yourself soon….

I am very sorry for Jack is getting knocked about so much and that Willie is still unlucky…. I wonder if Buchanan gets anything handsome for his travels and adventures, or is it only that he is fired by a spark of that chivalric flame which burned so intensely in the soul of a susceptible ‘Don Quixote De La Mancha’ causing him to spurn the mere gold and silver of his world...

P. 3) …. I have been studying the statistics of your country a little within the last two months, and nothing has so much surprised me as the rapid growth of such cities as Melbourne.

…...I find that Victoria is from 6 to 10% more fatal to life than Britain generally, and that the deaths among very young children are out of all proportion greater than at home…..

P. 4) The war in India being used up, the next topic of importance is the threatening aspect of affairs all over the continent, indeed before this letter starts its journey Austria it is expected will have declared war against Sardinia and France. Where it will end as we can well forsee…..

… The whole country is in suspense as to the turn events will take and the possibility of another grand war, which, come when it may, will call for Britain's sacrifices of blood and treasure, if Liberty is to be asserted and right to gain the day.

P.5) …. Since I wrote the foregoing, war has been proclaimed and the emperor Napo has ‘gone to the field’. The country is hotly agitating for rifle corps now, to prevent invasion. … I have no doubt the old farce will be gone through of voting in a number of batteries on paper to defend the interests of the colony. It is a serious farce to see such doings year after year, still procrastinating and still proclaiming the necessity of ‘doing something’.

I am going to join the first rifle club in Dumbarton for although I am far from warlike either in mind or body, I would like to be able to do more then throw stones or run if it came to active fighting.

This topic is becoming first in importance, so for a year or two before they go back to its bed on the shelf, this is only another part of the same grand plan of ‘how not to do it’ as Mr Barnacle says.

Trade which has been uncommonly good for a month or two has begun to ….. decline. The ship building has been very dull for a long time.

P.6) Dumbarton presents the appearance of a decayed Irish town. Its streets crowd with what would pass for the hangers off and on to a marching army. The grocers that remain open have fallen into a resigned air of discontent which pervades a man who has suddenly found himself changed from the winning to the losing side of a gaming table. They both look satisfied that they have ‘done’ ‘a few’ but after all confess that they are done in turn.

Yes, one sees so many hills of houses to let that the wonder rises how on earth The Herald (always worried enough to get printed to time) ….  manages to find breathing room at all. I am always on full time yet, but have given up the teaching for the summer. I am in the chapel yet but will give it up unless they come up a bit ‘with the screw’. I was elected conductor of the Choral Union the other week, which is an honorary position. It is of great use to me though, enabling me to obtain a better critical and analytical acquaintance with the music of the great masters, & the secrets of their power and passion, besides showing what particular passages tell with particular voices, when particular effects are required.

P.7) Owing to the fluctuating character of our population we are making less progress than you might expect having always to part with a few hands and break a new lot in every other week. I am still composing a little at odd times. I don't think what I write is quite up to the mark, but I know myself getting better at planning and executing particular fancies than I used to do, so I am content to work away.  I am happy to say that my old friend Dan McKean is…  off from the Greys and seems as practically inclined as ever. I am getting some of his songs to set to music (if I can).

One which I got last week or week before, written on a girl at Auchend….(?)  Farm (up the Luss Road) I have set an air to, with accomp’s for the piano, but passes a great compliment on the laird, so he wants to try to get it printed to present to her. The lines at the end say,

“If love I dare... ask of thee

“Nor I thy kindly heart may win

“Thy smile mere man know bliss to see,

“Thou bonnie Jessie Paterson.

If anyone will print it I wouldn't mind to give you a copy of my first song but I am not very sanguine on it.

John is getting on well in Busby. He tells me Jamie Wilson (teetotal)  is building a house between Bauldie’s and your house at the bridge, and Jamie Bonny (?) is drawing plans for a row from Blackcastle down

P.8) to the old field road -  facing your old houses .. You see the old place is getting bigger. You must mind the alteration when you come to see it again or you will ‘wander’ as we used to say of boyish adventures in Glasgow.

I saw John Twaddle a short time ago and he wants to be particularly remembered to you, he sends best wishes. He is going up to Leven someday soon to see your father. Your father is always working away in Dalmonach and seems to like it very well. He looks well every way and seems in good spirits. All your Leven friends are well too. I hope Joe Maxwell has fulfilled his promised letter before this.

Our folks are all in good health. Agnes helps mother indoors, James and the others are all in school yet. Father is talking of coming home this autumn, if he can get promised a place.  he is wearying away from all his friends. My last is Mary, she and I are still at arm’s length yet, indeed I don't see any encouragement, in a financial way, to warrant a closer intimacy. I would like to be above actual necessity before I commit her and myself to such ‘a fate’. She takes a great interest in you; not a mere fanciful concern, but an active living interest.

(You asked about Wallace's Monument well they are at loggerheads about the designs. When the lizard or whatever it is to be is settled on I will let you know).

… J. Rattray is doing well in Syria but sends no news of importance.

Scans of the original letter (note format of pages – p.4&1, then 2&3 etc.); click on thumbnails for larger images:

 page 4,1 

 page 2,3 

 page 8,5

page 6,7

William Moodie – Letter 18 - from Dumbarton, Scotland, Feb 1859

Wm Moodie Letter  - Feb. 8^th 1859 – 8 pages

- excerpts (using ‘Google’ transcription). Scans of the original letter pages are below. 

Dumbarton, 8th of February 1859

p.1) Dear Alex,

I have your letter of the 9th of November at my side…..

…………...

I hope Jack and William are keeping good health and successful in their digging operations….

about Jack’s lass. I wrote to D. McPherson. Davie did not hear anything particular but said he supposed she ‘might be married soon’, so I think that is about the whole story in a word.

p.2) The trials of Cun. Gray would form a striking picture of Australian life. He is not the first who has been broken on the wheel of misfortune, however I hope he may wait at the baking till he makes something worthwhile. There are no words of any other Grays so I suppose supposition went for a good deal in that case too, and I am all the more sorry that I in any way helped to spread the malicious report. Maggie Gray is married to her ‘Thornie one’. I think McKay is his name, so that is ‘another of ours’ away…..

…….

Jack can give me very little Busby news. They had a penny banks (?) soiree the other week in the church. It came off very successfully.

p.3.) They are getting lectures on ‘irrigation’ music etc. just now, it is a kind of mechanics institution resuscitated…..

that Burns festival was the event of the new year however and Busby seems not to have been behind in doing honour to the Bard…. G Thomson, Jas Thomson and Jack were the singers, he said there was more of it very good. He said there were about 460 couples at the soiree and 200 ditto at the ball, tell Cun Gray that and hear what he says, 200 girls to pick and choose from!!

….. all over the country there were meetings to sing his songs and to deepen our love for our brothers and sisters at home and abroad by quoting his wonderful poetry, as powerful almost from what it leaves unsaid as from the words it breathes into life. You will see a summary of the most important meetings in the papers I send (Glasgow P..t, Commonwealth Sentinel and Dum (?) Herald). The Choral Union had a meeting last night being our own anniversary at the same time. We began with tea and after a good round of songs and speeches (one of which was particularly good, G, A, W? Thomson, Grocer), the older and maybe wiser heads went away and we kept it up till 4:30 with dancing and games. I had no partner there…..

p.4)……….. Now for the Vale. I left word at home that they were to make enquiries whether your father had yet started work. They omitted to do this some way so here I am not able to say yes or no but at any rate if he has not already started he has got the offer of a table in Dalmonach. I believe they are very busy printing there just now and lately opened a shop for 60 Block Bratens (?). all your friends are very well and glad to hear from you. They have all been getting full accounts from your father. ….

They are all well at home just but if Father is fairly too, but he is most fearfully roasted in his lodgings, he can not get a shirt washed, in fact he had to do the ‘feminine’ himself on more than one occasion in regards to his bedroom arrangements. He is getting little time to try his engine just now. He thinks he has found out a plan of making the piano sustain its tones indefinitely, swelling and diminishing at pleasure…..

p.5)……………

I have not got any more words directly from J Rattray in Syria yet but I believe he is getting on pretty well, making some advances into the native language, which is said to be a very difficult one to a Western European. You will see all the Indian news in the papers so there is no need to run into a long list of names of places ‘pacified’ by the British…... The coming or at least the threatened storm on the continent is in every mouth. All calculating the chances for or against a ‘revival of trade’ over it, ….

p.6) …...Dumbarton affairs. About John Twaddell not a word have I to say. he is always glad looking to hear from you, but whenever I ask for news or any kind of word at all, he gets... unacccountably close. …..

Trade is very dull here yet and little signs of improvement. The only thing in our yard is a small paddle steamer for the ‘Lochgirl’ Co. as they are called.

Yesterday (7th) the last of the large ones was launched from W Denny Brothers yard - ‘the Bohemian’ 2500 ton. she ran down and across the water till she stuck on the Shore at Arch Denny’s at the churchyard. Very little damage was done and they expect to get her off at once.

I have started my lessons again since I had fever but to keep myself very easily engaged I only have them twice a week. I am in the English Chapel yet, but I heard Mr Loudon the precentor in the parish church is for leaving.

p.7) I may try to get in there. My greed tempts me to it, although I know I am but an indifferent singer, however some of the musicians of the place think I would get it if I applied. We shall see by and bye. I am busy just now with an Anthem. the words are from the 95th Psalm if I mistake not…. I think I told you about the one I was writing when I took the fever. I have finished it since and given it for criticism to Mr Newlands. He seems to think it pretty good. ………………

The Choral Union is likely to get on better now as we have managed to get a class of females to attend very regularly first in prospect of the soiree, and next I suppose to follow up that night’s operations. Music has charms but among some its charms are only sought after for the ‘chance’ of something else.

The town is visited once a week or so by companies of musicians who follow the art through its blacker scenes.

p.8) Either they are satisfied with very little encouragement in a financial way, or they are more sought after than the higher orders of artists. About Glasgow Christy's minstrels have been monopolizing the year of the public. I was up at the new year but did not get to hear them as I went to the oratoria. Once since I was up then I went and saw Noel Paton's painting ‘the Pursuit of Pleasure’. It is a magnificent work…….

Cun. will mind the tours we used to take round the academy paintings at New Years days partly if any of the Doherty’s were there and partly to encourage the others and partly to fix at the beginning what particular branch of the art we intended to bring to perfection when we began.

I have not heard a word of Hugh Patterson, or that ‘Paton” of High street fame who stood ‘Sam’ that new years morning we first joined the commercial circles of the city, for some years. They must be shining somewhere. Such men can not readily die out. Bella Scobie I never hear a word of either. She will either be better or worse by this time.

Scans of the original letter (note format of pages – p.4&1, then 2&3 etc.); click on thumbnails for larger images:

 Page 4,1

 Page 2,3

 Page 8,5

Page 6,7