Bedford
22 July 1886
My dear Chris
You will think yourself forgotten. We have been at home a month – no one has written to you.
Archie was busy for some time and passed as chief a short time ago.
Mater has been more than usually busy in putting the house in order and getting it cleaned – no easy matter after untidy people have been in the house, and both of us still have very bad colds. She has been greatly troubled, but I hope will be all right soon.
I don’t much like you going to Normanton – the climate will be very trying and if you do get in there is no means of getting quickly away from it. However do what you think best and send for Alec whenever you see your way to get him a living. I left him at Rocke Tomsitt’s without any understanding about pay until they tried him. I have no doubt they would give him ₤50 or ₤70 a year. I left ₤25 with Crosby for him in the meantime, but he has not written to me a line since we left Melbourne so I don’t know how he is situated. My object in placing him there was more to get him into the way of working than of learning much, but still the insight into their business may be ???? after.
We had rather a long passage home and the ship made a little water for the first time and has damaged some cargo. It came in a ???? spot and has something to do with a bolt hole that probably has been but temporarily plugged. I have not had her in dry dock yet and cannot say what the cause is, but of course this accident will affect the ship’s expectation in carrying dry and perishable cargo.
Mater and the children have been benefited by the voyage and, with the exception of her cold, all are well. I have not been able to sell or let my house yet, but hope to do so before long. The one I bought last year in the Bromham Road has been sold at a profit – the money remaining on mortgage for the present. I should liked [sic] to have sent you two or three hundred pounds but at present do not think it judicious to invest out with you. I may come down to see you and passage home by the British India sending the ship by Baker and Archie. I dont see much use in keeping at it longer as the ???? look at their worst people Captain on all hands but still the ???? of the country comes in much the same. I imagine that a great change in business relations is taking place – small old fashioned businesses are being steadily snuffed out by large societies of men to ???? ???? together and monopolize the trades of numbers of men of former days. For instance the proprietors of cargo holds are also the proprietors of a steam laundry. They are their own wise merchants, grocers &c. buying everything aforehand.
If you continue to enjoy good health and remain in the country I have no doubt come by chance will dawn upon you, which when carried out will prove a success. My old friend Charley Rawson and another Queensland man ????
???? which I have no doubt will prove a success. They charge a preliminary fee of ten shillings or more according to the information given, not at all a bad scheme ???? in these days to pay, the inconceivable may by which good living ???? made now in London acquires old businesses such as the Greens and D3vitt & Moore won’t pay office expenses.
I have given my people notice ???? ???? the job is to get a man who will take my place and keep the old ship going. The thing is worked out, nearly, but is still too good to throw up when I have so many looking up to me for support.
Edie has broken off the foolish engagement she entered into of her own accord. She has much improved by her staying away from home and is twice the girl she was.
Jessie and Jean are both away, but not earning anything. Jean has got a place from September. Jessie is with a family in Westmoreland ?????]
???? earn something. The ???? has improved both very much.
May and Mary are at Ramsgate – they come home next week but both are great babies I am afraid.
The ship will leave at the usual time, so that you cannot write to ???? before, but tell me at Melbourne as much as you can of the prospects about you and if possible come up and have a holiday during your summer heat and be with us for a time.
I hope you will continue to avoid matrimony until you fall in with a partner who has means of her own, or that you can profit by in some way. This is selfish advice but it is sound. When a young man hampers himself with a wife it so often forms a drag that prevents taking ????
Lambert is 2nd mate. Hoare is still 3rd in the Orient. Cooper is chief but none of my young men have a command. One who served with me at same time as Northey Jephson is still chief. Dawson has left the service and has settled in America. Douglas has been 4th for a year and is now at home waiting for promotion. He has his Masters Certificate as he served in other steamers before entering the P & O.
I don’t know what to do with Archie. The British India might be a good service for him. The Superintendent is a Cospatrick apprentice of mine, but ???? is the best and there is always the risk of disaster which is fatal. He has not the same business capacity as you have but if you think he can do any good in Queensland ???? ????
???? he would come out. It is hard to know what to do for the best in these days.
Bedford keeps up its status and repute. Buildings go up by the score and people come here to live and profit by the schools.
There are no changes at Poplar and they are all well. Bissett is doing some good for himself in his steamer, but not much for his owners. He is quite an altered man since he got into employment again.
Mater and Archie will write to you next week. They join me in love to you.
Your affectionate Father
Jas. A. Elmslie