Letter to friend Alex in
Australia, from Busby, Scotland, 16th Feb. 1862 _6+ pages
The first two pages of this letter thank Alexander for letters and
papers received, and comment on the continuing strength of their friendship
despite William’s recent marriage.
William comments on news of a clipper ship destroyed off Phillip Heads, which
was bringing many articles from Melbourne for the Exhibition. He also mentions
the good wishes that have been sent to him via Alex by “Cunn” (Cunningham
Gray).
He has been reading of the exploits of explorers in Australia, and muses on his
previous conception of Australia as a blank place on the map, and on his
sympathy for the Australian native people.
He mentions William and John (Alex’s brothers) getting some government
work, and wishes Alex well with his business venture.
William is planning to have photographs taken of himself and Mary, describing
himself as a “bearded loon”. He recalls previous photographs he and Alex had
taken eleven years ago, mentioning a Miss Reid who is “now the mother of a
family, an odd hundred miles up country from Otago in New Zealand”.
William continues at the bottom of page 3*:
“I must now briefly and hurriedly turn to home affairs. Since I wrote,
the “New Year” has passed. We went down to Mary's and spent a very happy week.
Trade had recovered a little before then, and has still held on, so that
we are at present doing very well in Busby. The block printers
p.4) too have got some good orders, so that your father is sure of a
further stretch of his sojourn. He is looking very well and says that he is
getting on “well enough”, but he seems to me to want companionship.
There has not been a meeting of the rifle corps until yesterday (15th) for some
months. Hall has been asked by the core unanimously and by the officers of the
regiment as one man, to resign to us he returned no answer. He promised to
answer the Lieu. Col. in four(?) weeks. That time has expired and no word; he
has been given a further short time withdraw, before they proceed to use the
Laws of the War Office. He is mean-time suspended and Lieu. Miller is acting
Captain in his stead.
We marched round by Carmunnock yesterday with Lieu Miller & ensign Char.
Wakefield. In a speech afterwards made by the Ensign (who, I may remark
incidentally, had, along with his senior officer, got a light to his cigar in
the manse, before leaving the Car’k Green) we were to follow up &c, first
class, &c, local prizes, &c, one member who &c, Queen's prize
&c, &c, next year at Wimbledon &c &c &c. ((no word of the
piper” &c. &c. &c. &c!)).
I sent in the glee I told you of to a Mr Robertson, foreman in Muir Woods’ to
see what he thought of it. He says that he had it tried by two Musical
Societies, and both said it did me “great credit”. He showed it to Mr Wood, who
liked it and sent it to a Mr Ewing, a patron of unseen musicians and himself a
thorough, practical amateur musician.
He pointed out a few errors of judgement, oversights as he called them, but
pronounced “very meritorious” and otherwise spoke well of me, inviting me to
call on him at any spare moment at his house 209 West George Street. Mr Wood at
the same time said he would be happy to make my acquaintance.
Here it was a trial for me all of a sudden, and utterly unlooked for. I screwed
up my courage, yesterday was eight days
p.5) and called on Mr Ewing. I found him a tall, straight man of about
70 years I should say. I was in a flutter before I took hold of the bell, but
in half a second after I entered his room, I was at my ease. He asked all about
my opportunities of study, what books I used &c. he showed me a large and
splendid collection of Glees by all the best composers.
He then took me up to his library, and told me, on the way, that, altho’ not
quite sure, he thought he had the largest private musical library in Britain, and
certainly it is magnificent. There were Operas, Oratorias, Instrumental Works,
Glees, Anthems, Songs, and Theoretical Works Ancient (&) Modern in English,
Latin, Italian, French and German. he told me to look around and choose which
ever I liked and I should have the use of them and more when these were done. I
was quite astonished at such kindness and condescension.
I could not fix on anything but a work on “musical science” by a Mr Brown a
friend of Ewing’s. On asking him if he knew there was any work extant on the
relation between the seven tones of colour in the prism and the seven tones of
sound in the musical scales, (a dream of my own for a long time) he said he had
never heard it but got me a volume catalogued Colour-Music which I find to be the
very thing. It turned out to be little known, but quite a fact, that the Greeks
had discovered the same thing 300 years B.C.
Mr Ewing showed me the MS of a piece of his own which at the printing for
private use. he said I should have a copy and so, two days afterwards, sure
enough it arrived. I never met with so much amiability, so much that denoted
the gentleman and (I may say without irreverence) scholar. As he had been
asking what else I had composed, “as”, he said, “the Glee was not my first” I
sent him a copy of a Waltz for the piano with my thanks and sincere respect.
I intend taking advantage of Mr Wood’s kindness soon, as he may be able to do
me many favours yet, who knows. Mr Ewing counsels me not to “neglect my gift”.
You understand that I do not tell these things thro’ egotism, although I am
proud of his friendship. I tell them simply because they are true and because I
know that we have learnt to rejoice with each other and weep too if God wills
it.
p.6) Of course I say very little in Busby about it, except to tell some
friends what a friend I have found. Mr Ewing’s last words were “I know that you
and I will hear of each other, often, before we are done, if spared a little
longer”. I intend working more faithfully now than ever. I will also adopt some
of the alterations which Mr E. suggested in my Glee, although not all of them,
as I think some of them would compromise the true effect aimed at. I will not
forget to let you know from time to time how I get on. (Mr Ewing is a ship
broker and insurance agent in the Exchange and very wealthy. A bachelor too.)
All our folks are in good health.
My father has taken Millerston Cottage on the Eaglesham road - on the
left side of the road going to Waterfoot, and the last house before coming to
Mather’s. Two houses are joined but separate gates(?). The rent is only £11-
with all the conveniences, stable included. The one in the Terrace is £20. 16.
so that the new one will effect a great saving besides affording him room to
work at whatever he intends trying, which I think will be something in the
machine way.
Mary and I are living as happily as hearts can wish. I see she is “improving”
the picture of the “Monument” which I enclose and which I hope the folding will
not destroy. All I wish you is a wife like her. I send regards to John and
William and to Tilda if ever you pass her door again. and now Alex with best
wishes from Mary and myself, I remain your faithful friend
Wm Moodie
P.S. I forgot to say that Lieutenant Miller has written to “Old Ross” about me,
to see if it would be advisable to bring me forward as one of the eight
competitors, to represent Scotland, at the National Match at Wimbledon, next
year. Old Ross says that he intense choosing his men from among the successful
Scotsman on the ground, but advises me strongly to practice constantly and send
my scores to him, and he will be happy to give me all the information in his
power to ensure my success if possible. (The piper again is in want of “a
penny”, which must be forthcoming before that tune can
be played again)."
Note from Mary* (on “Monument” note paper):
"Dear Alex’r
William tells me he intends sending this picture along with his letter,
and I could not think to see so much unimproved paper sent such a distance. I
trust, therefore, you will excuse
my boldness and accept these few lines, as they are given, in the spirit
of true friendship.
It is a good many years now since I got acquainted with you on paper
and, apart from the fact of your being my husband's friend, could not read your
letters without entertaining the highest opinion of your worth and character. I
hope to see you someday face to face; you know already how warmly you will be
welcomed to our fireside
and if Mrs Dick comes along with you (which I hope will be the case) so
much the better.
I cannot finish without letting you know of my home-happiness since I
got married to your friend, he is all that I could desire and far more. We are
very happy.
I must now draw to a close as I see Willie nearing the end of his
sheet.
With many wishes for your happiness and prosperity I remain your
affectionate friend,
Mary Moodie."
*This
letter has been transcribed using Google voice typing (apologies for any
inaccuracies or grammatical oddities).
I have
inserted some extra paragraph breaks for ease of reading, and the numbers at
the start of lines show the start of a new page, e.g. p.2).
Scans of the original letter are
included below (click on images to open a larger file):
