"Iron Pot" 
24th September 1878
My dear Mother 

I was very glad to hear to receive such a long letter from you and think your trip must have done you good. I was also very pleased to see by the papers that the 12th passed off so well. That part of the country must be very rich and beautiful by your description and I earnestly hope that you will be able to keep your restored health through the winter. The winter which has passed has been the most severe I have felt yet but the spring is setting in very soon and mild and I think we shall have a fine summer. I mentioned in my last that Mr Babington had proposed that Annie should go up to town and stop with them and go to school with his children so Chris has been very busy getting her "fitted out" for to go up as we propose sending her this week and I hope that she will have sense to take advantage of such an opening as it will be a considerable expense but thank God we are in a position to do it. I am afraid that Mr Matthews has forgotten to write to you as the "Lufia" arrived in London in April. So you will have to keep it for another opportunity. I will be sending you something this time as we have a collection already and by the time we expect to go to town, will have more as we do not intend going up until January so as to have fine settled weather. I am glad you liked Willy’s "carte" and I hope you will soon receive James Cumine Tertius. The children are all pretty healthy and strong. The pure air and the sun must have an effect. My namesake has got 7 teeth and is very lively. There has been an alteration in the pay at the Lighthouse rather for the better. My total allowance pr year is now £135 and after 3 years from last July £140. The senior assistant gets £85 and after 3 years good conduct etc £90. The junior assist. £75 and after 3 years £80. Besides I have £24 pr annum to keep(?) the station in fuel which is more than sufficient so I think there are worse billets than "Capt" of the Iron Pot. I hope Sam will be successful this time and am glad to hear that George’s health is restored. Ask Sam can he recommend anything for rheumatical pains in the hip as I have them occasionally through a wetting some years ago. Our garden is looking well now. A good many of your flower seeds are in bloom. Our hens are doing well now, we have as many as 9 eggs a day. I am going to try ducks here. I fully expected to hear of Miss L death. She must have a wonderful constitution. Please remember me to her if still in the body. I received Uncle E letter and have acknowledged it and was glad to see his fine familiar writing again. I sent him one of baby’s cartes and will try if spared to go to town to send one of mine less tatooed about the forehead. And now dear mother I must bring this epistle to a close. Hoping that it may find you all in health and every other blessing and with love from Chris and children. I remain ever your affect son

James C Parkinson

Love to sisters and brothers also remember me to Joe and Sophy. Thanks for the Orange Lilly. There are some in town.