Iron Pot Lighthouse
July 30th 1878
My dear Mother 

I have again to acknowledge your welcome letter and also one from Frances and newspapers. I am sitting cosy here 8 pm by myself as Chris, George, Maria and baby are in town since last Tuesday and Annie and Willy are fast asleep. I am glad that you continue in good health. George must do justice to himself and not overtask his strength and remember the old saying "Fair and easy goes far". However anxious we may be to do our duty we must take care of number 1. I have learned that. This winter has been very severe and our island home has got a good washing and the salt spray has damaged a good many of my flowers, but we can look across to the garden and see the peas and cabbage looking well. Chris intends to get baby’s likeness taken but I am afraid she will not be back in time for me to send it with this. Chris went up to see her uncle who has just arrived and is going to settle here. I fancy he came through Belfast before he left. She has not seen him for 25 years. I am sorry to hear of Mary Oliver’s illness and also Miss L’s. Please remember me to both. What a blessing health is and how we should prize it. Chris intends consulting a friend of hers Dr Agnew if there would be any danger in using the infection down here, as if anything went wrong we might be awkwardly situated. Mr Babington and Mrs Upton were well when last I heard. I trust that Providence would open out a path for my dear sisters, as it would not be pleasant to have the family more divided, and the way to be contented is to look at our present mercies and contrast them with the situation of thousand’s of others. May the Almighty grant you and my dear sisters and brothers a continuance of his protecting care. Should I have an opportunity of writing before the mail closes I will send the carte, but I must take this across as the weather is so uncertain. So dear mother you must excuse this short epistle and with love to all I remain ever your affect son

James C Parkinson