William Moodie – Letter 26 - from Busby, Scotland, 1860

Wm Moodie Letter 26 – Sept 23, 1860 – 4 pages

This is a short but quite newsy letter. I have transcribed it in full, and attached scans of the original letter below.

Busby Septr 23/60

Dear Alex

I have to answer for your favors per June and July mail including three papers and Punch.
I am glad to hear that your situation is being made more comfortable, and that your mining speculations have proved promising at last. I sincerely hope that “time will not thin your golden” nuggets. I am glad to hear that William is doing something. I hope Jack is not altogether unlucky either in his more ambitious rambles. –

We have received news from Jack Rankin (Mary's brother). He sailed in the Hope. The ship had all her sails blown out at the Cape, in a gale which lasted 36 hours. She reached Melbourne in 105 days, and he was glad to get a short. He is baking with J. Dickens at the “Ovens diggings” but intends trying his hand at the pick and spade. –
You were asking after Fenton. Well, strange as it may seem, only a night or two ago we had a visit from T Kinloch (of Candleriggs memory) who has returned a short time since from Ballarat +
p.2) he told us that one day, and old looking wretch came into their store, + after sitting for a while on the plank covered with sheepskin, he offered to engrave their initials on their pots for brandy, after some questions this turned out to be Fenton, and he was for a month or two a regular attender for meat and drink. At last there was a report spread of gold a good many miles further into the bush. Fenton got a present of two blankets from Tom's sister, Mary, (he being, as she afterwards aged, “a decent man's bairn”;) he set off, + about a week afterwards, they saw in a paper of the remains of a man being found. The features being quite indistinguishable owing to the wild dogs or cats having come upon it. He seems to have been going in the direction of the new rush, and had a bundle containing two blankets. it is possible that Fenton still lives, but it is probable that this was his sad end.

Stirring events are taking place on the Continent, and you will find your hopes and anticipations more than realised in regards to Garribaldi’s glorious progress thro’ Southern Italy
p.3) but rumours have reached us that Cavour and he are at differences; if so complications may arise which will injure the common cause and tarnish the fame of both warrior and diplomatist. At home trade is generally brisk, and with the prospects of plentiful harvest it is thought that the winter will be got through pretty easily and happily. –

About Busby things are much as usual. The rifle corps is getting on prosperously enough. I send you by this post a book of the Review. Owing to threatened damage to my lungs, I had to give up the instruments I had in the band. Indeed, I have been obliged to give up any work for a week or perhaps more, to get the better of a severe cold I caught at one of our marches. I am taking cod liver oil which I feel does great good. I am from the same cause unable to bring my mind to writing as I ought to do, and I shall be happy when I get to the bottom of the next page. All the rest of us are quite well. Father is not doing anything yet. I have not been at Leven for a long time
p.4) so have not had an opportunity yet of seeing your father. I hear from Mary every week, are relations always remain in the same unconsumated state yet and indeed are likely to remain so for a good while to come.

You were asking after D Alexander's marriage. I was under the impression that I had mentioned that amongst the first news from Busby. I do not know who or what she is, only that she comes from Edinburgh. She had an infant last week, but whether “a boy or a child” I can't exactly say. –

Hugh McLechtie was asked by Crum to wait for a month or two after the time set for his leaving. He remains yet, so I suppose he and Crum have got things made sweet again.

Now Alex you must excuse me this time for saying so little. I hope I will be in better trim next time I take up the pen, and I assure you there is no falling off in the attachment which has lasted so long between yourself + Wm Moodie.

Scans of the original letter (click on the thumbnail below for a larger image; note the order of the pages p.4-1, then p.2-3):

p.4,1

p.2,3