Iron Pot
Oct 6th 1881
My dear Mother 

I have just received your welcome letter and am sorry to hear of the accident but hope that long before this reaches you the effects will have disappeared. I am sorry also to hear that Frances is still troubled with Hay Fever. The Family Herald some time back gave a Receipt for its cure and if it is as good as the one for the Scurf it must be worth a trial. I told you in my last that I have been troubled with it. Scalp, eyebrows and chin and now there is not the least sign of it. I repeat the directions one oz flour sulphur in a quart of water. Agitate occasionally and moisten the scalp after washing. I hear that there has been a great deal of wet at home last month but I hope that George has got his crops in. We could do very well with what rain you could spare as there has hardly been any rain of any consequence for months, but our garden lies on the side of a hill and is very moist and I think will yield well this year. The wallflowers and Mignonette are in full blow now. I think the seed you speak of is "Gum".

Our little ones are very much pleased with Aunt Mary’s letter and I hope that all our hearts may be influenced by that "Good spirit" that we may in all times of trouble be enable to look to the Father whom we have "Not seen". Chris has not been very well lately. Pains under the shoulders and greatly troubled with windy eructions. The Doctor said it was indigestion but it may be the liver out of order or perhaps suckling this great boy, who brings her the stool when he wants "titty". I enclose some of his hair. I think he is the last as he is so old-fashioned. I also enclose a photo of Mr Babington which I am sure you will like. I as well as Annie inherit that nervous feeling you speak of. Only the spirit has overcome the weakness of the flesh sometimes especially in launching a boat in the nasty sea.

Willy and Maria have been up to town for a week and seem the better of their trip. I should be very much pleased if it were God’s will were I moved to a station where there would be the advantage of a school but we have the recourse in that as other things, prayer. So hoping this may find you all in the enjoyment of health and every other blessing and with love from all to Grandma Aunts and Uncles, I remain dear mother

ever your affect son

James C Parkinson

Kind remembrance to Joe and Sophy also Aunt Ewart and success to Sam