Bombay,
June 13th 1852
My dear Father,

I received 2 letters last month from home, one dated 17th the other the 22. The latter was an answer to one which I sent from this on my arrival, and I hope that by this time you have received 2 others which I sent sometime after. All the letters Mamma and Grandma sent have come to hand, and it is a source of great gratification to me to receive them and to hear how things are getting on in my native land but especially that you all enjoy good health. I should have written sooner in answer to Mamma’s letter, but delayed thinking that I may might be able to give you some information as to the time we should return but this is very uncertain however. I expect that we shall proceed from China to California or Sydney but I am not sure. The weather is beginning to get showery, and squally, or as it is called in the South west Monsoons are settling in, but the rain is agreeable, as it cools the air. It seems to affect the natives greatly as they immediately dressed in flannel and they looked like so many half drowned monkeys. I expect to sail in a few days as we are binding sails and have taken in our water and most of the other provisions, also our poop rail is garnished all round with baskets of onions and pumpkins. Our European crew were dismissed except 4 men to steer? And we are I suppose to have nearly 100 Lascars on board in the place of 22 whites. I believe we shall have a great deal less to do this passage as there will be so many black idlers as they are called who will have to do those things that the Boys otherwise would. I was thinking of making a sketch of Bombay, but the view from the sea does not answer as the town looks one narrow stripe of houses, and has no background or no remarkable object in the front. There is a very strong fort here and the town is completely walled round. There is also a very old Man of War Guard ship lying at anchor and also some small cruisers?, but the most of the Company force is at the Rangoon war. The average number of Merchant Men lying here is 50 of all nations. Our vessel is the largest at present in Harbour. There is a London ship The Collingwood belonging to Dunbar lying near us. They have got a drum and fife on board and enliven the harbour every night from 6 until Gunfire. I see they have 6 midshipmen on board who seem to lead a very easy life of it, comparatively speaking. There have been several Belfast ships here, 2 have left for L.pool. By one of them I sent a note to W. Aicken in the care of a young man belonging to Belfast who can tell him all about this place and that he has seen me alive and well on board the Dalriada. Mrs Scott has presented the Capt. with a young son which I am sure he is very well pleased. Mrs S. is to be on board tomorrow. I was very glad to hear that Mamma, Maria and yourself were in the City as the change does a person good and Maria must have enjoyed it very much. I have often thought that my letters must seem very short coming all the way from India but tis very little a person sees lying a mile from the shore except cotton boats and canoes but I hope before I return to be able to spin a good yarn about the wonders of the Eastern world. Please tell Mamma that I have as many light clothes as I shall need for this voyage and that I won’t be ashamed to let her see a shirt that I washed myself and that if she pays me well I will wash for her when I return, or sew either, only that I would not be able to make caps or very fine work like that, but such as trousers or so I am tolerable at only sailors take miserable long stitches. Tell her Miss Lascelle’s bag is not exhausted yet and it was very useful. Give my most affect love to Grandma, Mamma, Aunt E Uncle Edward, Sisters and Brothers, Mrs and Joe Surch, Mr West, Miss Lascelles Mrs and Mr Lindsay, Mr B Thompson and all my kind friends and believe,

Your affect Tho’ absent son

James C. Parkinson

PS Remember me also to Mr Gracey