Hobartown
July 13th 1870
My dear Mother

As usual I received your welcome letters by this mail. One containing a scarf for Chris for which she desires me to return her hearty thanks and also a piece of Tartan for dear Annie. Chris desires me to say that you must excuse her writing this time as she intends waiting until she has something interesting to write about. She is in very good health at present considering and is greatly engaged with sundry needles, linnen, cotton Etc etc but was able to assist at the arrangement of the supper at the Orange Lodge which your humble servant officiated instead of our Chaplain, who was unavoidably absent. Perhaps you might see it noticed in the Newsletter. We are advancing slowly but steadily but a great deal of apathy permeates amongst so-called Protestants. I should also acknowledge the receipt of 4 Newsletters and one London News. I hope that Bess and Frank enjoyed themselves much at the wedding. I wish heartily that they had been personally interested, and I also hope that Maria may enjoy her visit to London and that George may succeed in his examination. India is not so bad as is generally represented if folks take proper care of themselves. I hope dear Sam will soon regain health and strength and be able to find something to do at home, as one stray sheep is quite enough in the family. We have not heard from Luke yet but expect a letter next mail. Things have been very slack with us lately but I hope the worst is over. This country is getting worse and worse. Do not get an expensive scarf I am "Arch purple". Annie is very well and sends her love to Grandma Aunts and uncles etc in which Chris and myself join.

Yours affect son

James C Parkinson

p.s. Chris expects to be confined in a few days