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):
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