Wm Moodie Letter -
Apr. 13th 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
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