Iron Pot Light House
November 1874 (?)
My dear Mother,

I received as usual your kind letter enclosing one from Frank and papers. I suppose you will be surprised at the heading of this letter. I mentioned in my last that I expected to receive an appointment as Superintendent of this Lighthouse but did not think that it would come so soon as the 7th of this month. The pay is about £140 a year with a good sized house and firing. It is situated about 11 miles from town at the entrance of the River Derwent on a detached rock about 300 yards long and 200 wide and about 20 feet above the level of the sea. It is very pleasant in summer but must be very cold in Winter but I question that I shall have long to stop, as Mr Babington who interested himself to get me appointed said it was only a step to something better. As I have been so long beating up against the wind and currents of life with God’s assistance I will find it much easier when "the tide has turned" to steer a steady course. The duties are very light and there are two assistants and I have a boat to launch when inclined to fish or go to the mainland. Christina and youngsters seem to enjoy it as there is plenty of air and salt water. I got Luke into my old berth and his mother lives with him and feels better for the change so that we should all be thankful to God for his undeserved goodness. I am sorry to hear that the Ewarts do not treat Aunt right but Walter Riddall should see about it. That is the thanks people get for being good natured "commonly called soft". I hope that I shall soon have the pleasure of seeing George’s Ordination in the papers, and with the help of the Almighty we shall be all comfortable settled. The fine weather is just setting in and already I feel better of the change. I gave Annie and Willy some powders and they have been different since and much improved. I am glad to hear that the July celebrations went off quietly. We are all dead here. Perhaps the new Governor we are getting may be the means of stirring up the people here as he is an RC and near relation of the founder of Stoneyhurst College. His name is Wield. Give my most affect love to all and believe me.

Ever your affect,

James C. Parkinson

P.S. Address your letters the same as usual