Hobartown,
March 25th 1873
My dear Mother, 

I am glad to hear by your last letter dated Jan. that you are all in good health, and comfortable. We do not need much firing at Christmas time here as it is generally very hot and requires both doors and windows to be open in place of the blazing fire, and close drawn curtains of the land of our birth. I am much obliged for "The Old Arm Chair" and all who have seen it pronounced it beautiful. When you write again please say how many papers you send, as sometimes I fancy they are being kept in the Post Office. I am sorry to reaad that our county has been disgraced by such a horrid murder and hope that the guilty person will be brought to justice. I suppose you heard of a ship being run down in the English channel bound for Htown. What a fearful loss of life. I hope that this place may soon improve as it is very hard to get along, wages are so low. Those who have means here have not the energy or enterprise to develop the resources of the country. We are all well. Annie is very fond of her school and will soon be quite a proficient at her needle. Willy can speak very plain now but Baby is the Flower of the Flock and we give him so many names that nobody might be jealous, as Chris intends to take Bessies advice. Excuse this short letter and with love from Chris, Annie and Willy to Grandma, Aunts and Uncles. I remain ever your affect

James C. Parkinson.