Hobartown
December 28th 1871
My dear Mother

I was glad to see your ever welcome letter this time, as we have not had one for two mails through the loss of the steamer at Galle with the Sept. mail of which I suppose you will have heard. I have also received the four newspapers safe and the lock of hair which I will treasure up. You will have received before this dear Willy’s ‘Carte’ which I am sure you will like. I felt very much at having to write such in such a doleful strain to you some time back but ‘Thank God’ I have been in employment now since Sept but it takes a good long time to make up for 3 or 4 months idleness. I am trying to get into something that will be more permanent. I would not like to go home and be a burden on you however much I should like to see you and be at home once more. So long as I have health and strength to labour and get my own livelihood only it is so hard to get employment constantly but should Providence open my way I should most gladly return. Mrs Upton says that Chris’s father ‘George Coates’ called on one of the Bloomfields and was kindly received, and it might do no harm to write and let them know that his wife supports herself mostly by washing, as Mr Upton is unable to work and that I her son-in-law can barely gain a livelihood. I am afraid I have neglected my education too much to think of entering the Church, and what little brains I have are pretty well muddled now, but I know that in such a matter we are told. "Learn not to your own withstanding"? and if we seek...... God has promised us his spirit to enlighten our minds and the "weak things are often chosen to conound those that are mighty". You do not say how George is getting on . I hope he will be successful. Our garden is a great help and I have a few fowl and ducks but they do not lay very well as they are rather confined. The weather is at its warmest now as it is our mid-summer. Chris is pretty well as are also Annie and Willy only they have a slight cold. Give our love to all and believe you me your affect son

James. C. Parkinson