Bombay
24th April 1852
My dear Mamma,

I have just received your welcome letter and was half inclined not to answer it until I should receive an answer to mine which was written six weeks ago and which you must have received before this as I have but little to mention except that I am well and am getting on pretty well but I know you would like to hear from me so I get under weigth.

We have been discharging a cargo this fortnight and I hope never to be shipmates with such a one again, as everything is covered with coal dust, which being so dry penetrates every place and it is only on Sunday that you would know to what class of beings we belong, but I hope it shall be all out in another week. It is a great mistake to think that Jack sees so many wonderful things as he has very little opportunity for observation except what he sees from the ship. Since I have left all that is new to me . Nothing more than seeing fish flying, voracious sharks, porpoises nautelus’s and the sun to the north of us as, along with the usual ration of the ships duty and since I came into harbour. I have only been twice ashore once in Bombay and once on an island called Elephanta where there is a wonderful cave of vast extent, hollowed out of the solid rock and filled with gigantic images representing the ancient gods and goddesses of heathen worship. It much have taken immense labor to excavate such a large place and proves that there much have been civilisation in this place at a very early period. There are a great many different apartments in this cave. In some are blocks for beheading criminals and in others altars for sacrifice also a beautiful well of clear cold water, which is a regular treat in this hot climate. I brought away some pieces of the stone and some shells which are much like our own.

There is not much fear of me eating too much fruit here as everything is so dear and it is the greatest place for rogues ever I was in. It is certain we are going to China as .... in the papers and I heard that we are going from there to Sydney but I am not sure, but think I will be the most of 2 years when I get back to dear old Ireland again. I should thank you for the shamrock you sent me and forgetmenot but there is no fear of me forgetting the land of my nativity as I be thinking more of it since I came into the harbour, as it is the one thing over again every day and when the mind is tired of present objects it always seeks something new in the imagination. You must tell Grandma to keep her heart up and not think of ever fretting as I am confident God will spare us to meet again in health and safety. I am as fat as ever with all the sweat I have lost and hard work, but you could not catch much loose flesh between your finger and thumb on me. I will think the weather very uncertain in England, when I tell you that that there has only been one shower of rain since we came in but the rainy season is approaching I believe which will be unpleasant as it is a constant as the good weather. I suppose that you know that the time here is about 4 hours earlier than at home and when you are enjoying yourself in the land of Nod we are a good many hours at work, what happy people you must be!

I am sorry that you have not yet got the clothes yet. I am very sorry that I did not bring them with me. I gave you details in my last letter about them. I gave them in charge of a young man a friend of Miss O’Briens ... lives there until either I should send or call for them and should I not have time to send them in one of the Killough vessels. His name was Duncan and the servant girl saw me giving them? her name was Elene?. I was kept that night and the following morning so busy I had not time to see about them. Twill be a great loss and it will teach me who to place confidence in but I shall have much as I will buy me a new suit by the time I reach home. I suppose you know the direction Miss O’Brien, 13 Dublin St. Mrs Scott stood the passage pretty well and Capt and she are living ashore ever since we came in. I suppose all the young people will be married when I go home, do tell some one of them to wait for me as I could never fall in love with these dark beauties do not forget!

Give my most affect love to Grandma, Dada, Aunts, Sisters and Brothers. Also remember me to Joe and Mrs Surch, Mr West, Mr Gracy, Mr and Mrs Lindsay and Ben Thompson and believe me ever your affect son.

James C. Parkinson.

Remember be to John Hanna, Margaret, June, Mary, Sarah and all my own acquaintances.