Newcastle on tyne Northumberland Street
27^th June 1840

My Dear Lucy,

I received yours of the 25^th yesterday, and have now the pleasure to inform you that Mr Hodder has had a letter from Sophy dated from Sydney, New South Wales, in the beginning of February - they had arrived there the 4^th of January, after a tedious, and disagreeable voyage of six months - she had not been long enough in the new region to give a decided opinion of the country, or what Mr Jardine’s plans were as to their future motions, but we may soon expect a second letter with a more satisfactory account - she, however, writes in good spirits and admires the scenery, having landed there in January which is the midst of Summer - and this present month of June is the depth of Winter with them. In short they are exactly under our feet and have a different set of stars from what we have. I call it therefore the Under World. I have attended many of the Churches - and heard some excellent preachers and was gratified to know that the best were Irishmen who appeared to be decidedly pious - there is a numerous body of Methodists who have handsome chapels - very few Presbyterians of any kind and only one congregation of Roman Catholics, who are, nevertheless on the increase. The immense coal mines are a source of wealth to every class of the community from the highest peer to the lowest cottager. Lord Durham had but a small property until he discovered veins of coal in his estate, and his present splendour is principally owing to the blackened labourers he has working for him in the bowls of the earth. The dress of the peasantry, and artisans is comfortable and even handsome, and much superior to our poor countrymen in the same rank of life and go where you will, there is the appearance of wealth, and though the people are heavily taxed they do not grumble - when may we hope that our good humoured Irish will eat their bit of flesh meat and wheat bread - wear their neat brogues, and cunnemara stockings - and contentedly work at their trades, and earn a decent competence for their families. Why, when the Gospel is faithfully preached to them, and they listen to it and learn to fear God and honour the King. The English will then share with them some of their ponderous capital, and introduce and encourage manufacture. I cannot say when we are to return to that same Ireland - Mrs B ….. to leave us for her Residence in Larne in [the course] of a week, and I hope we shall Winter in Belfast - at least it will be our headquarters - who is the magistrate you have in Killough - I suppose Mrs Smyth of St. John’s Point has been released from her suffering before this time - you speak of Captain Binnie’s improvement of the Strand road which I am very glad to hear of. My good friend and cousin Mrs Johnston has had her share of troubles in the illness and death of Mr Parkinson’s children but Providence is kind in supplying their hopes - remember us to her and all the family and to Miss Auchinleck when you see her. I will be more punctual in writing to you henceforth. Mrs Lascelles and our friends here are well,

truly yours,

F.E. Lascelles.