Wm Moodie Letter 21 - Sept 1859 – 4 pages
This is a short
letter but quite entertaining and fairly newsy, as William has moved back to Busby
and he describes some of the changes there.
I have transcribed it
using Google voice typing, which which I have a love-hate relationship: on the
one hand, it saves me a great deal of time and painful typing, but on the other
hand it substitutes incorrect grammar and some strange words, which I have
tried to edit out. I do apologize for any inaccuracies, and I am happy to be
corrected.
I have inserted
paragraph breaks for ease of reading (and the bracketed numbers refer to the
pages). I have also added in (?) where I am not sure of the words, as some of
the text is distorted and difficult to read. Scans of the original letter are included below.
Busby
Septr 12/59
Dear Alexr
You will see from the dating of this that some change has come over the
-I can't say the “spirit” but the - locality- “of my dreams”. As I have
been rather much engaged, just when I should have been thinking of answering
your last and of thanking you for your many newspapers and Punches (?).
I am sorry this must be a shorter letter than usual but I will make it
up “for certainly” in my next.
Trade got so dull with us in Dumbarton that I and the others were forced
to look out for other places, so as the engraving happened to offer the most
immediate employment at the best terms I accepted a lever(??) at the copper here. Mr Galbraith has given me the highest
wages paid 30/- and I promise of the first place at the dais(?).
I left D. with few regrets although I have some valued friends there
still. I got to like the ways of the place very well, but I feel by the
elasticity of my spirits and somehow other the buoyancy of my hopes, since
coming here so much, that I think I have been half-buried in Dumbarton. The
engine works is closed and all the men scattered now but I believe Mr Denny has
got an order.
I think we may take leave of D now together and go to our old loved
homes (?): I came here about five
weeks since and am liking my work well. The shop is very little
(2) altered except in the matter of more hands and more windows, having
squeezed the mechanics down to the ground flat and taken forcible position of
the whole of the old cutting shops.
I see J. Nimmo (??) J. Wilson,
D. Alexander + others moving about as of old but seldom speak to them. I like
to go more by myself and think of the times which we only seem to recollect.
John and I lodge in the furthest up house to what you know as Andersons row-
although they are all away long since: Maggie to your country; Bob to Sea, and
the old wife + Rebecca to a dressmaking (+, name it not, shebeen) establishment
at Calderwood's Smithy.
Our house is entered from the front and stands for porter lodge to
Crum’s on that side, and commands, as you will see, a beautiful view of “the
falls”. The Glen is closed up so that is the only place I have not visited, but
I will risk it some night soon. The appearance of the town is improving fast. I
was surprised and delighted when entering Busby for the first time since
leaving D. to find an elegant little foot way bridge thrown over the road from
Crum’s garden to the park (which has been turned to a pleasure ground for the
Gentry). It has a very pleasing effect on the stranger and helps to impress him
favorably towards the place. Notwithstanding the commanding(??)
(3) state of architecture which prevails in the principal part of the
town. Some new buildings have been raised over where John Gray's (?)…. used to lie.
James Wilson has £150 in a house a wee bit from Baldie’s corner(?). Nearer the water a new house has
been put up; an exceedingly crude erection. I never counted its angles but,
from memory, I am safe in saying there maybe about 10 or 12. It is called (not,
as far as I can discover, from resemblance, but from instinctive contempt) the
rat trap (you see Busby architecturally as well as geologically is of the “trap”
formation; whether these two facts bear any relation magnetically or otherwise
is beyond the power of the writer, as well as out of the sphere of this letter,
to tell).
I told you before of the road from black Castle(?) to the doctor’s which is progressing. The people are much the
same as before although individually there are many removals. H. McCatchie
(spelt so in gold letters on his sign) is getting on pretty well. We had Katie
and him up one night singing with us. She is a very immodest woman - fact (?) - cold, chilling; indeed, zervical (?) Katie, is Katie.-
Mr Dick is labouring very zealously for “revival cases” just now. On
Sunday night last, when reading the “revival news” whenever anyone sneezed or
coughed he stopped to give them a fair chance of coming
(4) out with it, but all to no purpose. Either they are “all square”
already, as a pious man of my knowing once said to an old dying woman when she
assured him she had a firm hold of Christ, or else they are condemned once and
for all. It can by no possibility - happen that “he who ministers” as I hear it
modestly put, can himself need “reviving”.-
We have no singing club here but John, G Thomson, a Mr Rutherford + I
have joined the Glas. Chor. Union + I are in once a week at their grand
practisings.
I am getting into favour with Mr Hamilton publisher and may have
something to say further in my next. Your father is living with his sister in
Glasgow, he is not working at present. Your Leven friends were all well when I
left.
No news from Syria. Father is getting on pretty well at the mint, but
says nothing definite of coming home. At home or are well and send their love.
Mary is well and wishes to be particularly remembered. John sends his regards
to you and to John and William. I do so too and thank you most sincerely for
your many papers; hoping you are satisfied with this short letter, and all
getting on well in your various ways, I remain yours ever, Wm Moodie
Engraver
Busby
P.S. remember us to C. Gray(?)
+ W Stevens when you can or hear of them (?)
Hoping to hear soon dear Alexr WM
Scans of the original letter (note format of pages – p.4&1, then 2&3); click on
thumbnails for larger images:
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