Iron Pot
March 25th 1883
Dear Mother 

I have just received your letter of Feb. 1st? and am glad to hear that you are all well. Chris is somewhat better as she consulted a doctor in Hobart and he gave her some medicine, but she has the ringing in her head occasionally. I fancy there is quinine in the medicine. Our home is great deal more comfortable now . Willy and George go to school for the present on the Arm when the weather is fine. Annie and Willy are at present in town to seen the Exhibition. This has been a wonderful season for wet and the weather has been very unsettled. We had an accident about three weeks ago to one of the vessels trading around here. Her steering gear got out of order at a critical time and she went ashore on a sandy beach about three miles from here and in full view. It was rather exciting particularly as the weather was too stormy to render assistance, but happily no lives were lost and the vessel has been got off. One of the men had a leg broken. Our garden has turned out wonderfully this season. There was as much a 8lb of potatoes to one root and the cabbages are going to loss as we cannot use them. The Russells wealth has soon gone from them. Solomon knew that " a little that a righteous man has is better than great riches". We must get you some photos when Chris goes to town. One of our assistants made us a present of a large Album worth £1.1.0 and bought Annie a nice silver watch and chain. He has been with me over 8 years. Our exhibition has been a great success and we thought it would do Willy good to see it as he is very sharp and likes anything mechanical. I am sorry that we had nothing but the Jam to send you but perhaps if spared will do better next. We thank you very much for the floral letter and hope that we may all be drawn to strive earnestly for that inheritance "incorruptible undefiled and that fadeth not away" and also for the views of which Cork is Chris’s place birth place and the other was her home for a short time.

We are all well at present with the exception of Chris and hope that her ailment may wear away. So with love from all to Grandma, Aunts and Uncles. I remain, Dear Mother, your affect son.

J.C. Parkinson