November 25 1867
Hobartown
160 L.pool St,
My dear Mother,

I received your last welcome letter and am glad to hear that you are all well and that Sam is improving. I have not much news to tell you except that H.R.H. the Prince is expected here in about a month from Melbourne which will cause a little stir here for a short time. Things are very down dull here and very little prospect of them getting better as there is no employment from the labouring classes, but we must we must endeavour to put our trust in providence. Christina is well and will not give you any news till the next mail but I think that you may put that down as certain. I am sorry to hear that poor Sally is so weak but hope she will be spared. I suppose poor Killough is quite lively now as what is use to be. There used to be a schoolfellow of mine in Mr S’s office in Newry called Lindsay. I hope they may prosper. I think Willy has a quality that I have not and would be better of a little, I mean closefistedness I am sure he ought to be glad to assist you in every reasonable manner and I think that what you mentioned is quite reasonable and I am sure you would be quite comfortable at Killough, and he should bear the additional expense of keeping the two houses. The church with the spire is St Georges the one on the left of the last picture is the one we were married in but they are all Pusyite so I go to the Primitive Methodists although they are railess the Minister is a true Christian and his wife says I am the only gentleman that goes to the chapel. His name is Smith. You must excuse me writing such as I am not in the humour. I hope to have better news next mail. So with love to all, ever yours affect,

James C. Parkinson