Hobartown Tasmania
March 15th 1863
My dear Mother

I am once more back again to this place after being in Invercargill in New Zealand. Things are looking very prosperous there, but as I have agreed to stop six months in this vessel I did not like to leave her there as the Capt is so kind to me and all on board. It will tell you what he is when we came away from the best place in the country without losing a man. He is inclined to be religious and I have told him my state both of body and mind and he advises me to ship as I am for a little as everyone says that it requires a considerable sum to have any sort of good chance at the diggings. So perhaps something else will open soon. I am very comfortable at present as there is no restraint in these vessels, as soon as you come into port you can go anywhere ashore and they are only a short time at sea. We are now boarding for Rockhampton in Queensland and maybe away some time but it will be warm weather and that will answer as it will soon be winter-time here. But on the whole the climate here is very mild. I wish you had it as fine at home. I hope you will have written to me as I gave you the direction as it is most probable that I may rendezvous here. I told you to direct to J Young, Glenorchy but you can now direct to the agent of this vessel and if I am not there I can always get it. W. Fisher, Morrison Street, Hobartown. As soon as I am paid at the expiration of my agreement I will send you a trifle, and out of it please get your photograph and also my sisters and brothers in a group as I should like to have it and also if you could get one of my Fathers taken from the one you have. I hope I am beginning to live to purpose. I was at a meeting at the Westylan Methodists on last Sunday and also today and I hope that before long the fire which has been so long smothered will be rekindled. I feel that God has not cast me off altogether and I believe that if I only use the means he is waiting to be gracious. I shall indeed be happy if I can once more say "His pardoning voice I hear" I know that my backsliding will be a great sorrow to me always and I cannot expect that clear decided change of heart, and that fullness of joy that I experienced at first, but if he in his great mercy only receives me as his child again I shall indeed be happy in whatsoever situation I may be placed in. I hope I shall be enabled this time to seek first the kingdom of God as I have indeed reversed that command. May he give me singleness of purpose to his honour and glory. Give my most affect love to Sisters and Brothers, Miss Lascelles. It is a great pity she was so eccentric as she ought to be more with you. Aunt E, Joe etc. and Sarah, Margaret O.

And believe me yours

James C Parkinson