Bendigo
March 14th 1859
My dear Mother,

I received yours of the 14th Dec but too late to answer it. In fact like yourself I hardly know what to do for the best. The prospect here now is very dull and getting worse every year but I do not like the notion of being a drawback to the family or eating the bread of idleness as I could hardly exist now without some employment being so long accustomed to a life of activity and I am sure it would be hard to get a suitable situation at home.

I am still trying the reefs yet, as they are the only thing here that a person may hope to get a lift from and I have a little better prospect now, but I must not be so sanguine again. If I do get a little soon I shall be off at any rate, but as to any notion of how soon I cannot say. D’ont be scared if you hear some night a poor sunburnt, digger with his swag on his back singing out to some one, I say mate will you show me the road to 36 L St. If I had of my own as much as a friend of mine got out of his claim a few weeks ago nearly 400ozs. Ah! In our case would not 1 cent will some one must get it. When you write tell me where Ben Thompson of Ravensdale is and is the Dalriada still on the water. Do not be uneasy about me. I can always get a good living here, and clothing too, but that is not contentment. Tis only "home is where the heart is" and that is with thee. I hope soon to enjoy again the privileges and means of Grace? that you are favoured with. Tis a great help to poor weak mortals like me.

Give my love to Aunt Ewart, Mrs and Joe, Mrs Riddall, Uncle E. Miss Lascelles, Brothers and Sisters, and believe me,

Ever your affect son,

James C. Parkinson