John Alexander Bell, 1 December 1882.

No 15 Rue Richepause

Paris

1 December 1882

My Dear Elmslie

A thousand apologies for not replying to your first letter received in Queensland.

I wrote to my brother-in-law Charles Armstrong at MacKay North Queensland. His reply was not encouraging.

If you are determined to go to Queensland ??? arrangements I will give you letters of introduction which will be invaluable to you

(line missing)

to Paris call upon me. My wife and daughters will be delighted to see you – I told them long ago what a nice good looking fellow you are. Duke (my son) is at Dover College – Dover –

I received a letter from Chippendale today dated New Zealand.

I left Moreton Bay on the 29th August last. I arrived at Plymouth 3rd Nov. A lucky short passage.

Write soon

Yours very sincerely

Alex Bell