36 Lonsdale St,
Xmas day 1859
My dear James,

I cannot tell you my feelings when your letter arrived on Saturday last and the hope of seeing you so soon . We could scarcely think it a reality in the hurry of reading the letter as we thought it was written in a great hurry as the girls took the latidude for the day of the month and thought it was November 25th so we wrote immediately and directed the letter as you told us and sent an order for £5 as I had not much more in the house. I felt that I had not sent you the other £2. I must but trust you will have enough. Dont think for a moment that we will not be as glad to see our dear handsome altho he has not been succesful. You did what you could and the Lord will I trust lay out something for you to do here. All I am sorry for now is for yourself. You have been the sufferer. We only had to feel the anxiety and your been separated from all your friends and gospol meetings? and I feel also that we did not write again to know if you have arrived but the mistake we made was the same. We here sense that when you set foot on English ground we should not be long from knowing it. I was in town on Friday and stopped to speak to William Aickin. He told me that a man called them told that he had been over in the ship with you from Australia and that you wished him to have word to us that you were arrived save and that you would be over in a few days, but William told me he happened not to be in and that he would have asked more of his particulars or when the man had left you. We were more than thankful that you are safe but would rather …. from yourself as we could not tell where to find … to have anymore?. This day is …. would have been here. The girls went down to the post office but were too late as there are no deliveries on Sunday Francis and Bessie went down also when the Liverpool boat came in at one and expected to see you. Mr Carlisle returned from London in the boat but James did not arrive so we had to eat our Xmas dinner without the pleasure of (his) your company. I did hope that if you were not on your way home that you will write and let us know how you are and when you will return as this surprise I feel much perhaps. The person you speak of Mrs Kenfell whose son came over with you will let us know if you have left for home which I trust you have. We are all very anxious to see you over here. Kate said in the letter as it was sent in a hurry that if there was not enough cash I would try and send a bill .. but I hope you will make it do. Clothes are to be got cheaper here. All here unite in the the kindest love to you and with the hope of seeing you soon,

I remain as ever your affect mother, A.C. Parkinson in haste

I wish we had written sooner but it cannot be helped now.