Phillip’s Reef, Bendigo 
May 13th 1858
My dear Mamma

(written on the newsletter of Australasia)

Do you not think I would make an excellent husband? At least with regard to the qualities of patience and good nature when I tell you that I have been working nearly six months and only found the reef last night having sunk and driven upwards of 230 feet, but there is every likelihood of our being rewarded. A reef is not like an alluvial hole it sometimes takes years to work them out, but should this turn out as we expect perhaps I shall be able to spend my Christmas with you. I am glad to hear that Miss A is settled at last and wish her every happiness and comfort. I am very much pleased with Willy’s writing and hope that he will try and improve all he can and please tell my sisters that I am much obliged to them for all their news. I will send you my likeness by next mail and see if this chap is much changed, I should have sent it before but latterly the expenses of the claim have been pretty heavy, but I shall soon be in a better position and to use a Colonialism "All scurm"

My eyes are better, but they cannot be expected to be healed, as I am always in dust down below. Six weeks on the salt water would work wonders. There has been a great flood on Bendigo lately, and a great deal of mischief was done but no lives were lost that I heard of. In this fine country my acquaintance among the ladies is very limited so you must not expect me to have much retail gossip, if indeed I am not in the best humour for scribbling as I have just come off nightwork, we have a night watch every alternate week so you must satisfy the rest of your curiosity from the enclosure. Give my love to the whole lot and believe me yours affect.

James C Parkinson