Derwent Lighthouse,
June 10th 1885
My dear Mother,

I received your letter dated April 19th on the 31st of May. It arrived in Hobart on the 28th so there has been as little loss of time with regard to it as other matters wonderful go-a-head age - and not a bit jealous that the number of your grandchildren are increasing so long as we have no more. Quite fresh in my memory going across the Mall towards the Armagh Academical Institution meeting Aunt Jemima and being informed that I had another brother and now he is the father of a fine boy. Well I am glad to hear that is well over in which Chris joins. I received also 2 Belfast newspapers in one of which the announcement of the birth and also supplement with picture of the protestant city. Surely their Royal Highnesses will mark the difference between S. and N. The cottages for assistants are almost finished and we are to inhabit one until ours are completed. They are very comfortable and commodious. 3 rooms each with verandah and store room, oven in kitchen and fireplace in each rooms. They have been finished very quickly about 2 months but ours will take longer. Would there be no use in trying for any reconstruction with regard to the house? But I suppose you have had advice. We had Annie and Maria down for a day lately and they ….. Maria is at school and getting on. Chris is going up to town on Friday for a few days weather permitting. The children are all pretty well. Tas is very old fashioned and tried to do anything he sees a … oven to measuring with a rule and sawing a piece of wood. He is very like Maria. I wish very much that you would drop Uncle Edward a line and tell him I am "so fixed" that it is an effort to write even to yourself. I have also to acknowledge a note from Bessie Button with the good news. There has been great preparations in all the colonies to give the Russians a proper reception. We had 3 Russ[ian] Men of War here a short time back to "spy out the land" but I hope they will "think better of it". There is one thing "Lighthouses are neutral" so with good wishes and kind remembrances and love to all from Chris and children,

I remain dear mother,

Ever your affect son,

James C. Parkinson