Letter #68 to son Alex in Australia (& note by Alex with letter forwarded to his brothers)
Glasgow, 17 June, 1862
My Dear Son,
The Australian mail has
come rapidly this time and I have got yours of April. The untimely end of John
Leckie is a striking event and gives rise to melancholy reflections.
I did not get a job at Dalmonach, nor have I any
job in view. So I have made up my mind to start for Australia as directed.
The weather has been wet
and continues so. It seemed breaking up and I set out for Edinburgh intending
to go round by Perth, but the weather was too wet.
I could not get an engraving of Queen Mary, nor one
of Grant's or Ayton's works you mention, i have got Allison's History of
Europe, 13 vols and Browne's History of the Highland
Clans, 4 vols. It contains all the rebellions. I will buy Macauly and look
after Paget's book. Wm.Moody is to send a photograph of himself and wife.
I have often heard that a Scotch terrier is the
most vigilant of watch dogs. It is rather strange that three watch dogs were
asleep. One would think it more probable they knew the thief.
There is no appearance of the American war coming
to a termination. The North is the more powerful; the Southerns are receeding
slowly before them, but to appearance the North is quite unfit to conquer the
South. The summer heat will soon make more havock than the cannons do. It will
be the extreme of fool hardiness in the North to persist in the work of
subjugation. The people of the South, it turns out, are bent on separation and
it is believed separation will be the end of it. The European powers do not
think the time has arrived for them to mediate.
Trade is dull and foundries and other works are
getting slack now, too. There are thousands of workpeople depending on the Poor
Laws for support in England. I congratulate myself on having sons that have
paid me so much attention and sent so liberally to my pocket. And I now feel a
pleasure at the prospect of being with you again and probably ending my days
among you.
Annie Russell is looking
for a spirit shop with the view of finding employment for her brother.
I am, your affectionate
Father,
Alex'r Dick.
Smythesdale ,15th. August, 1862,
Dear Brothers,
The enclosed arrived this morning - you will see that Father has made up his mind to return to Australia, but he
dont seem in any hurry.
I had also a letter from Wm.Moodie. He and the wife are both well. The
Busby folks have given "Shaws anes anither licking" at shooting,
Willie taking the lead.
Peter Robertson has come home, bringing Mrs. R. with him. Mr.& Mrs. R
visited the "Fiel" and astonished the natives with the "Toots
like magnificence of their raiment". Willie seems unequal to the task of
describing Peter's white silk vest and gorgeous uniform and fairly breaks down
at Mrs. R's "White Lace Mantilla" and "Exhibition
Crinolene". Mrs. M. must have helped Willie with their names. He and Jack
send their compliments to both of you.
I dont expect to come in tomorrow. If you see Ted, tell him so. Yours
affectionately,
A.Dick.
Names & Notes on Letter
#68
John Leckie
Annie Russell & brother
Alex’r
- transcription and
Names/Notes by Ian A Scales, c.1989 (note- the ‘original’ transcription was in printed format on
paper, and has been re-formatted using OCR – so may have some inaccuracies
which have escaped my editing – C. S-P)
Scans of the original letter (click
on the image below for a larger version):
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