Letters from Australia to family and friends at home
Brighton Gazette Thursday December 30th 1852
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- Chapter 8. Arrival of the Gold Seekers.
- Brighton Gazette 13 January 1853.
Brighton Gazette Thursday December 30th 1852Letter received by Mr G.A. Wigney Collingwood, October 8th 1852 My Dear Father, – Our vessel anchored in the beautiful bay opposite William’s Town on 23rd September. William and I left by the first steamer, which brought us up to Melbourne. Oh, the delightful sensation of setting foot on land! We found the Junipers quite well, and spent the evening with them, and they kindly slept us. Next morning they directed us where we might find a lodging. The town is so full that we could not get lodgings in it; but through their recommendations we procured two empty rooms at Collingwood, a distance of about half a mile from the town, and upon a beautiful hill. Our rent is £1 per week, which is far less than two rooms could be got for in Melbourne. My husband and brother George came on shore with the luggage on Saturday, 25th, and on the following Tuesday got situations at a coachmakers – my husband £4 and W. £3 per week. This may seem astonishing, but I must tell you how trade stands here. Everything is enormously dear. Many of the successful gold diggers do not mind what they give for things. Then there has been, and still is, such an influx of emigrants that provisions have risen very high. The passengers from the Statesman, finding things so dear, were obliged many of them to sell clothes and other matters before they could pay to get up to the diggings. Some have done as we are doing, staying and earning, and then going some future day. Those trades people who have been here some time now reap the benefit, as they get cent per cent for their goods; but to a settler it is trying, and many from our ship, when they landed, were quite discouraged; they were obliged to pitch their tents upon the beach, or some distance from the town (as it is against the law within a certain distance). Poor things, it was quite distressing. But meat is cheap, 4d. and 5d. best pieces; and after getting up their strength they are, no doubt, in better spirits. Bread, 2s the 4lb loaf; English cheese, 2s.6d. per lb; colonial 2s.; butter, 2s.6d.; a load of wood, from £2 to £3.10s.; a large cask of water from the river is 2s.6d.; bakings, 6d. weekdays, 1s. Sundays; tea is only 1s.8d, per lb; sugar about the same as in England; cabbages, 1s each, and fruit proportionately dear. Servants in general cannot be got; and washing is from 7s.to10s. per dozen pieces, so that those that wish to get on must work. My husband has the offer of making a number of cradles to sell to the diggers. He will accept the job, and as George is not in anything yet, he will teach him to assist, …… carpenters, bricklayers, brickmakers, paperhangers, bakers, tailors, watchmakers and shoemakers are trades that command good wages, and there are plenty wanted; also any one that can take care of horses, and drive drays. When a man can get forward enough to get a horse and dray he can go and cut wood or fetch water, and his earnings are incredible. If we have our strength and health, I have no doubt we shall do very well. Furniture is very dear. I much regret we could not afford to bring ours; I think it would have sold for three times as much as we gave for it in England………. Mr Juniper and John are soon going to the diggings. You hear only of the fortunate diggers; but there are many tradesmen here doing far better than the majority of diggers. So that altogether our party seem most inclined to grasp the substance rather than run the risk of catching at what might prove to be a shadow. Mr Juniper only goes when he can spare time to leave his business for a short time. At present the roads are so muddy that it is £5 10s. per cwt. for luggage from Melbourne to the diggings, and one gets nearly up to the middle, as it is not possible to ride. There are a great number of auction sales. Anyone that has goods to sell takes them to the auction rooms, so that if George had had his type he might have done well at jobbing; as it is we are all living together, and I dare say he will do well under my husband’s superintendence. There is certainly more scope for a working man when he has once got a little money. The town is not paved nor lighted, but it is nicely laid out, and has plenty of places of worship in it. ……. Last Sunday we went to a church close by us; and heard a good gospel sermon, preached extempore in a plain manly manner. It put me in mind of Exeter. We all liked it much; but as my time is hastening, I must conclude. Please write soon. I am anxious to hear of Mary, indeed I long to hear of all. My heart yearns to see you, and all my dear friends. I hope to have that privilege again. This country is beautiful; but there is something so inexpressibly painful in the thought that you are so far away. I enclose a note for Uncle Benjamin. The boys unite with my husband and myself in love to Joseph and all the family. Mrs Juniper desires her love and thanks to your wife. We are all picking up, and eat heartily. I intend, if spared, to write again in a month. Write soon, and you will oblige, Your affectionate daughter, Martha Mudge. Address, care of Mr Juniper, Swanstone Street. Chapter 8. Arrival of the Gold Seekers.The first impressions of Melbourne and the expectations of the “gold seekers” of 1852 were very different from those of the Juniper and Wood party some three years before. The Baptists were a smaller group of families who were strongly united in their religious beliefs and practice, and, though they knew no-one in their adopted country, they came with the expectation of soon moving out of Melbourne to the land allocated to them where they could settle together and build their new community. As we know these plans failed to come to fruition when their pastor, John Turner, found he could attract a congregation in Melbourne amenable to the doctrinal shift he had adopted on board the Harpley and his companions from the Ebenezer had to find work for themselves and a congregation of already established Baptists to worship with. The Brightonians who arrived in 1852 numbered between one and two hundred. There were very few families and the great majority were young single men whose principal objective was a chance to try their luck at the diggings. Although as many as possible had travelled on board the Statesman others came in small groups or as individuals on a number of other ships (at least seven have been identified as carrying passengers from Brighton) over a period of several months. For many who had known the Ebenezer families in Brighton there was the chance to renew old friendships with people who now knew the country, had experienced (and were experiencing) the turmoil brought about by the gold rush, and who could be relied upon for sound advice and help in adjusting to their new lives. There was, of course, a natural impatience to disembark after so long at sea but first the new arrivals had to pay to be taken ashore and they would need to know where they were going to stay before leaving for the diggings. Many took the opportunity of the enforced delay to write letters to their families in Brighton, and a number of these, published in the Gazette on January 13, 1853, are reproduced here. Apart from one, written by John Hughes from Adelaide, and one sent from Sydney, all those brought back by the Australian were from passengers on the Statesman. They give a very good idea of the scene on arrival on September 23 and the immediate problems to be faced. One surprise was the arrival on board of people offering to buy many of their possessions at inflated prices – cutlery, jewellery and above all pistols and revolvers. This came as a relief to those short of immediate cash and anyway regretting the amount of luggage they had brought because of the cost of carriage and storage. There were also offers of temporary jobs. Often the whole crew of an arriving vessel bolted to get to the goldfields and there were no men to crew the homeward voyage. So some new arrivals may have been tempted to work their passage back to England as seamen, but we have no evidence of Brighton returners. There was a particular interest in prices in Melbourne, especially of food and rent – but in any case it was difficult to find any accommodation at all. A huge tent town had sprung up near Williamstown, where the ship berthed, to take in homeless arrivals. Rumours went round about the way up to the diggings – the appalling roads and the bands of robbers waiting for people coming down. All this was recorded in the letters received by anxious families in Brighton. A favourite story, related more than once, was of the famous “equality at the diggings” as new arrivals were told by hotel staff to clean their own boots. The long delay in receiving the letters was explained by the newspaper:- Brighton Gazette. January 13th 1853 The Australian:- This vessel from the gold regions, so long and, since the arrival of the “Marco Polo” a fortnight ago, most anxiously expected, has at last arrived, bringing mails of unusual bulk. The postage on unpaid letters alone, received for delivery in Brighton, amounted to nearly £13. Among these were communications from many recent Brighton emigrants…. Brighton Emigrants to Australia:- The long delay in the arrival of the “Australian” terminated on Tuesday, and yesterday’s noon mail brought a number of letters from Brighton emigrants who left in the “Statesman” and previous vessels. We have been favoured with a sight of some of these…. Brighton Gazette 13 January 1853.From Mr Herbert Humphrey, to his father, Mr Humphrey, tailor, Bond Street. Dear father, mother, sister and brother, This is the first time I have taken a pen in hand since leaving, having left all the writing to Henry, who is keeping a log, from which you shall have more particulars in our next. Circular sailing is tedious and very monotonous; we have not seen a vessel for about six weeks till our arrival in port. You will be pleased to know that we have not been idle (we have earned between two and three pounds together) and also I was never better in health than I am at present. This is a fine climate; and we think it is sure to agree with us. We hope everything goes on as comfortable at home as when we parted – with plenty of trade. The ‘Statesman’ is a splendid sailing ship, with a very clever captain; but a great many are dissatisfied with the diet and regulations, though there has been very little to trouble us. I am sorry we brought much luggage, as storage in Melbourne is difficult and expensive. I hope in our next we shall be able to give you fuller information as to future intentions, but at present everything is very exciting. Can’t think of anything more at present. From Mr Herbert Humphrey, to his father, Mr Humphrey, tailor, Bond Street. Ship “Statesman”, September 24, 1852 Dear Father, Mother, Brother and Sister This is the first opportunity we have had of writing to you, and hope you are all quite well, as we have been throughout the passage, and are at present. We have had a most remarkable voyage, not one serious case of illness on board, but an addition to the ship in the shape of a child. We made the run in 83 days, from land to land, with very fine weather and favourable winds from the Line. The temperature has been as low as 52° very cold, with squalls of snow and rain. Sighted land Wednesday 22nd, 80 miles west of Cape Otway, passed the heads into the port at 9am on the 23rd, the pilot came on board soon after, and we dropped anchor off Williams’ Town at 3 pm, same day. It is a most beautiful harbour with beautiful scenery around. The accounts from the diggings are most prosperous. Diggings more prolific than Alexander have been found at Adelaide, and there are now lying here more than 150 ships of all descriptions, deserted by their crews, who have gone to the diggings. We have not yet been ashore, but are waiting for the greatest number of townsmen to go with. We are about a fortnight too soon for the diggings. Have had several settlers and others on board, to engage people for shearing sheep and some tradesmen wanting to engage, bakers from 30s to 40s a week, and their board and lodging; tailors, 1s.6d. an hour, with rations; shoemakers, 25s for soling and heeling a pair of boots; but at the same time meat is 4d to 5d per lb; bread, 2s the 4lb loaf; sugar, 3½d per lb; butter and cheese, 2s.6d to 3s.6d per lb; but any man of any profession may get his 10s a day with board and lodging, for rowing to and from ships or unloading them, - in fact no man may fear starving here, the diggings make everyone independent. Today, one of our cuddy passengers went on shore, and at the Hotel asked to have his boots cleaned, but to his astonishment was instantly told to go to ---- We have sent a very short account, in consequence of the steam mail starting at 4p.m., tomorrow, but as soon as we have been to the diggings and the next mail starts, we will send a better account. Don’t know which way to advise Fred about coming out, for there is not a room anywhere in the town to be got for love or money; innumerable tents are pitched about the town, and we must put our tent up. The steamer is now waiting, but will write again as soon as possible. From Mr Henry Pepper, to his father, Mr William Pepper, Western Road. The “Statesman” at Anchor William’s Town September 24, 1852 Dear Parents, ― We arrived at Port Philip after a very fine voyage of 84 days from land to land,― thank God ! All well. I cannot give you any account of things, as I have not been ashore. The account of the produce at the “diggins” is very encouraging, as there are new fields discovered continually. Every thing is very dear – a loaf of bread from 1s.6d to 2s; beef, 6d per lb and mutton the same. Any person that will work can get it, for men even come aboard to engage the new comers from 10s to 25s per day. It will be quite impossible for you to come out as all the houses are let, and hosts of tents around the town. I will give you a long account when I get to the “diggings” which will be about a fortnight or three weeks. In that time we shall be able to get there, as the roads are very swampy. Please to read this letter to all friends, in case any of the letters should miscarry. I must conclude with my kind love to all, and accept the same yourselves. P.S. Tell Aunt Cook to tell her boys that there’s a chance for them. Excuse haste as the mail is just making up to go off. From Mr William Pearmain to his brother Mr John Pearmain, agent, etc Brighton. Melbourne, Sept. 28th. 1852 Not a death on the ship, nor any sickness. I have not been on shore yet. William H. Beck went yesterday and returned today. Melbourne is very full, not a lodging to be had at any price; but splendid news from the diggings: people are making rapid fortunes in a short time. We intend to pitch our tent in the bush by Melbourne. Things are very reasonable considering the quantity of gold brought in daily. Money appears no object here: all spend it like dirt. Bread is 1s 6d the 4 lb loaf; beef, 6d lb; mutton 5d; but some things enormously dear, for instance, any kind of labour. To work scraping roads, 10s per day; mechanics, 16s to 18s per day. Immediately on the arrival of a ship, parties come on board ready to engage anyone that like; but the diggings is all the cry of our party, and is the case with nearly all. Nil desperandum is our motto. From what we can hear, the generality of the diggers are a rough lot. Today a great many are starting; they carry all on their backs, with a pistol on one side and a large knife in the other. There are regular bands of robbers from 20 to 30 strong, on horseback, armed. We are making our party 30 strong, to go to the diggings. The robbers do not attack people going up, but those coming down with the gold. As soon as we arrived, we had parties on board ready to buy anything we had to sell – particularly pistols. Several were silly enough to sell them, £5 a pair for which at Brighton we gave 15s. Turner was offered £20 for his six barrel revolver, which he gave £3 in Brighton for; but he would not sell it, thinking we might have use for it ourselves. There were three robberies in Melbourne last night. But we are one and all in excellent health and spirits, and fear no robbers. The wet season is just over and the Spring just beginning. The roads are awfully muddy; and we are told the road to the diggings is three feet deep. We shall be obliged to carry all our things up on our backs, as we cannot get a dray to take us up to the diggings under £100 and some charge more, and then they object to carry more than 1½ tons. We nearly all starved; dreadful bad provisions for the first six weeks. Had it not been for the ham and cheese, etc, we took with us, I do not know what we should have done. But it is better the last six weeks; as we are got more used to it. I should like you to have seen us sometimes at our meals (if you can call them meals). First imagine to yourselves a lot of pigs scrambling to get what they can, - salt beef as hard as iron, also pork, and hard biscuit; but thank God it is all over, and when our feet are on shore all hardships will be forgotten. Brandy is 1s per glass; wine, from 25s to 50s per dozen; bottled ale and stout 16s per dozen. The “Hebrides” is not yet arrived. We wait here for our other party till her arrival, which is daily expected. From Mr Samuel Packham, son of Mr Packham, Ironmonger, Western Road Dear Father, Melbourne, Sept. 22, 1852 The voyage of 84 days, barring the “Melbourne,” is, I understand, one of the shortest passages yet made. I disposed of the whole of my goods, but with some little difficulty. People made a sad mistake with regard to the quality of the cutlery; if they had sent the very best, I might have made 100 per cent by them, but as it was the very most I could make was 30, which only one ironmonger in Melbourne would give, the others offering as low as 5 or 10 per cent only. The jewellery I succeeded much better with, clearing 120% by every thing I sold. I really wish I had brought £500 worth of it. I could have disposed of it without the slightest difficulty, and made £500 by it….. We are now preparing to start for the Bendigo diggings, as yet the richest that have been discovered. I have not been idle during my stay here. I have sold goods on commission for parties who came out in the same vessel, and have done uncommonly well. I would not go to the diggings, but men coming down day after day with such immense quantities of gold, it is impossible to resist. Mr and Mrs Juniper are quite well, and have been very kind to us, and obtained us very comfortable lodgings. He is shortly going to the diggings. Pistols are greatly in demand. I have sold my revolver (cost £6) for £18 and purchased a pistol for £5. Address to me, care of Mr Juniper. From Messrs. Alfred Chate and Stephen Cottrell, to Mrs Jeffery, Montpelier Road. On board “The Statesman” Off William’s Town Sept 24. The place is quite deserted – nearly all the inhabitants are gone to the diggings. Tell ― she had better make up her mind not to come, as the females here don’t know where to get lodgings, houses are so scarce. Bread is 1s.6d a loaf; tea 2s. per lb; coffee, 1s.6d; mutton is rose from 1d to 5d per lb; eggs, 3s. a dozen; butter, 2s.6d per lb; tobacco,7d.; and English stout 2s. a pot. Only wish we could have a good draught of the Brighton ale just now. Tell any friends they must not come until they hear from us, as we have not been able to go on shore yet, and therefore cannot give a description of the place. Tell all the single chaps that think of coming out; they will have to work, for there is none of your fine dressed gentlemen here, and everybody looks after No.1, and lets No.2 do as he can. The captain went on shore yesterday, and slept at an Hotel, and when he called the waiter next morning to clean his boots, the answer he got was, go to ― and clean them yourself. Mr Bambridge desires to be kindly remembered to all friends. From Mr W.P. Pentecost to his father, Mr Pentecost, boot and shoemaker Brighton. On board the “Statesman,” Port Philip, Melbourne, Sept. 24, 1852 Dear Father and Mother, Here we are at last ― scarcely had any rough weather, and no sickness, not a single death on board, which we consider a great blessing, as there is one ship lying here, which came from Liverpool with 800 passengers on board, out of which number 100 died in the passage. I could not manage to eat the food, it was such dreadful STUFF; but the passage has made a man of me, and I was never in better health. Never did I hear so welcome a cry as at three o’clock on Thursday afternoon, “Let go the anchor.” The tidings we got was that no one could be got to do work. Tailors were earning 1s.3d per hour; carpenters, 15s. per day; shoemakers, 25s. for soleing and heeling boots; labourers, £1 per day at the wharf. There are no lodgings to be got under the small sum of £2 per week, and then perhaps you will have to sleep out in the verandah. I shall not go to the diggings yet, as I think I can earn plenty of money here. The people that came on board are very strange looking, like the Yankees with their broad brimmed straw hats and blue Guernsey shirts. As we lay in port, there is no less than 150 ships that cannot get away for want of men to work them. They have offered £150 per man to work them home. Boots and shoes fetch an enormous price, two guineas for a pair of water tights, and £5 for Wellingtons. In fact every trade does well; people MUST make money if they come here. Of course there is the black side of the question. The passage is bad; only fancy 13 weeks on the water, without amusement or any thing to pass the time. I don’t wish to deter any body from coming, but it is a wonder to me that so many live through it. I must in honesty say that hundreds of times I wished myself back again, and was sorry that I ever came; but I do not now. Mr John Hughes, former assistant to Mr Cockran, writes:- Mount Barker, Adelaide, Sept. 24, 1852 Our run of 94 days was pleasant, and without rough weather till we passed the Cape. We had concerts, theatrical amusements, etc., on board, and the captain was so pleased as to request a repetition. We got into the Bay before the steamer (which lost four boats and had disorderly sailors who immediately left on arrival) and many cracked up vessels. We fell in with the “Negotiator,” bound to Melbourne with about 250 passengers. She had lost her topmast, portside bulwarks, all stove in, and her sails rent to pieces; a large ship in the night having run into her, and made off. Nothing but confusion on board, and drunkenness. There is cold weather here, and I have seen the white frost. No fire places, but logs on the hearth. The wet season will be shortly over. Parties are very sanguine about the new diggings here; but I intend on Tuesday going to Port Philip to try my luck. Labourers 10s and carpenters 20s per day, boots, 42s the pair (and about 9 months notice necessary), English cheese and bacon, 2s, beer, 1s.3d per quart, brandy 9d a glass. I have seen many diggers call for their dozen of champagne. The colonists are great spendthrifts and drunkards. It is a land of milk and honey if you choose to work, and keep from the grog shops. Although drink is so dear, they will have it. You may see a fellow in the grog shops, apparently not worth 2d, pull out a bundle of notes a foot high and plenty of nuggets. They think nothing of £20 a night. For dress, woollen trousers, lace-up boots, straw hats, common blue shirt, with blue serge shirt over and belt round, - such is my dress now. Shepherds, 16s. a week, rations and lodgings. The whole of our crew bolted on getting into port. Large sums have to be paid for taking ships round to Melbourne. I should be glad to receive the Brighton Gazette, now and then, for old association’s sake. Brighton Gazette 3rd March 1953 A batch of letters from a party who left England in June, for Australia, has been handed to us by a townsman. The party had, as a fellow passenger, Mr Dexter, husband of the Bloomer lady of that name; and the vessel was in company of the “Hebrides” for three days, while becalmed, a few degrees on this side of the line. Sunday at sea is thus described:- We have service every Sunday morning, on the poop. The captain reads the prayers admirably; and we all come out regular swells. Somehow my mind generally reverts to Old England; and I fancy I can hear the bells ringing in the breeze, and see my absent friends quietly walking to their several churches. We have no sermon; so that we leave church about half past twelve. We dine about one. We have preserved meat on Sunday; and after dinner we do our port, or our champagne; and the toast I usually propose is, ‘All our absent friends.’ One of the letters is dated from the White Horse Hotel, George Street Sydney, October 23. The land sighted, the anticipated breakfast on land was the topic of conversation; and here is the description of it: We had a tremendous feed. I had four or five mutton chops, some rump steak, some pig’s cheek, five eggs, tea and coffee, cigars and a little dram of B and W. The rest did about the same. Speaking of the country he says, I like the look of things uncommonly. The climate is fine, the scenery magnificent, and every body making a fortune. All of our passengers who sought employment have got it at remunerative prices; and there is lots of work for many more. The fact is, there are hardly any workmen here; they cannot get them under from 11s.to15s. a day, and as meat is but 2d.a lb., and bread but little dearer than at home, you may fancy they are doing well. We are stopping at a very nice hotel. Cleanliness, civility, and cheapness the order of the day, £1.1s per week for board and lodging, three real sound good meals per diem. We have sold our goods and made nearly 50 per cent profit on them. I have been offered £26 for my revolver, to send to Port Philip; but, as the bullet mould was packed, I could not sell it. If I had sold it, it would have paid me nearly 200 per cent. You must not expect to hear very often, as the crews of vessels are deserting at every chance. We start in a few hours. Hurrah for the diggings! Chapter 9. Getting to the Diggings. The Statesman berthed at Williamstown late in September 1852 and the majority of the second party of Brighton emigrants disembarked for Melbourne to find a handful of their fellow townsmen already there in addition to the established families from Ebenezer. The Mary Harrison, bringing Henry Scarborough, had arrived in July, to be followed in August by the Woodbridge “with several emigrants from Brighton” on board. Many of the newcomers lost no time in writing home, and a large number of letters to Brighton were carried in the Australian, as recorded above. There were by this time more regular sailings to England and the Gazette tended to publish batches of letters from Melbourne once the recipients showed their willingness to share their news. Not all did, and some delayed handing over their letters, but there were several published together on December 30, and on January 13 in the New Year 1853. Some of these will be found in the previous chapter, describing the arrival at Williamstown, early impressions of Melbourne, and the first few weeks in the new country. Very few of the writers had at that time actually attempted to get to the goldfields (the Humphrey brothers were among the first to do so.) It was one thing to arrive in Melbourne but quite another actually to get organised to start on the difficult and dangerous overland track. Besides, it cost money to amass equipment and stores, and more still if they did not want to do it on foot, so the letters received in January are mainly about earning some money and making preparations to go. The next batch of letters received in March came back on the Hebrides which had taken out six of the Brighton men who couldn’t get on the Statesman. (They were Dyer, Leney, Henry Franklyn, Francis and John Tillstone and John Lawrence.) On March 3 the Gazette reported the arrival of the letters but delayed their publication until seven appeared on the 24th. Not all the recipients were happy or willing to pass over their correspondence to a newspaper – a fact regretted by the editor who felt it was important that the people at home should learn the truth about the goldfields. Recent reports (“by Electric Telegraph”) suggested that the heady early days of enormous finds at the diggings had given way to more modest yields, though there was “no real cause to believe that the gold has come to an end.” The Gazette decided that a cautionary note was called for: Brighton Gazette. Thursday March 3rd 1853 Emigration. The Diggings. The accounts from the gold fields of Australia are varied and not altogether satisfactory. We take up a paper containing the first glowing description of the state of the new El Dorado; but on the other hand we occasionally obtain a sight of letters which are not altogether of so encouraging a character. On reading these varied accounts, we arrive at the conclusion, that persons should pause before leaving a comfortable though perhaps not lucrative, home for a change of scene, which, for aught they know, may result in one of disappointment and misery. These observations are addressed more particularly to persons with families, - to young men the change does not carry with it the same serious consequence. In the morning papers of Tuesday last we read of a large arrival of gold from Australia, as if there was no end to the riches of that country, and we believe that thousands are preparing to embark for this land of promise. But that “it is not all gold that glitters,” even in that prolific country, may be gathered from the fact, that so late as Monday morning last, letters were received by three or four highly respectable tradesmen of Brighton direct from their sons at the diggings, of a highly discouraging character, so much so as to induce one of the tradesmen to abandon his intention of himself going out. We learn that he had advertised his business, and had made every preparation for proceeding to Melbourne, when his letter arrived. One of the letters states that a crisis is approaching, but what that crisis is we are left to surmise. The parties from whom these letters came have been to the diggings, toiled hard, and opened several holes, but with no beneficial result; and they have returned to Melbourne, for the purpose of getting more profitable employment than “digging.” We are in possession of the names of the parties, and regret exceedingly that the parents of the young men, all of them highly respectable, should, after the most pressing request to make the information public, think proper to withhold it. Every letter from the diggings, not touching upon private or family connection, should be published for the information and benefit of the public, as it is a matter which concerns the interest and welfare of thousands, more especially information on which the public can place implicit reliance. Although accounts from the goldfields are mixed and the situation is often “disappointing” or “unfavourable,” at least one correspondent still urges a family member to follow him to Australia where “there is a great deal better chance for living than in England at present.” Prices were high, but there was plenty of money to be made in trade, or as a policeman. Another correspondent at the same time says “it is almost madness to come” but nevertheless he intends to go to the diggings in spite of dangers (especially robberies) and the likelihood of failure. In fact some of the Brighton men were enjoying moderate success at the diggings. Friends got mutual support from working together and enjoyed meeting up with fellow Brightonians on the goldfields or back in Melbourne. Such news was always passed on in letters home. One, from the Humphrey brothers, is included to close this chapter. Henry and Herbert had joined up, perhaps not too wisely, with Alwin and his boy, and the gloomy prognostications heard in rumours and read in newspapers proved only too true. One letter, written in Melbourne on November 11th, and published on its own in the Gazette on March 17th1853 is something of an oddity. Received “by a lady in this town” it had been written by a lady in Melbourne with an interest in governesses, and getting a music master for the children. She writes of the hundreds returning disappointed from the goldfields and suggests (rightly) that, as the surface gold is exhausted, there will be no individual digging and “it must be worked for by companies.” She also notes that the people then making profits from gold were the merchants buying and shipping it, business men and (not surprisingly) the publicans. The writer dislikes “low, vulgar men” and her generally disapproving tone suggests a clear social distance between herself and the “respectable” but class-bound tradesmen and mechanics from Brighton, whose immediate concerns were not about governesses and music masters. A selection of their letters appeared in the Gazette the following week (Thursday March 24th) after the arrival of the Sydney. Although these were “upon the whole….of an unfavourable character,” few of the correspondents were completely put off from at least trying their luck at the diggings.
We subjoin an extract from a letter with which we have been favoured by a lady in this town, who received it last week from Australia. Melbourne, Nov 11, 1852. The influenza has been most prevalent in the whole town lately; and many have been seriously ill. Whole families have been prostrated by it; and very few have escaped. In Sydney people have died of it; but no lives have been lost here. The children have begun music with a master, the first here, to whom we give four guineas a quarter for half an hour twice a week. Notwithstanding the thousands coming here, the price of labour is still very high, and men will rather suffer privations than take moderate wages; but they must eventually come down. The yield of gold is evidently decreasing; and, of course, when we consider the immense number now flocking together in quest of it, we cannot suppose each one will be successful. Hundreds are returning disappointed; and hundreds more at the diggings are doing nothing. Many scientific men now are of decided opinion that after a time, and not a very long time, the surface gold will be exhausted, and that there will then still be gold to be had, but not by individual digging. It must be worked for by companies, in a methodical organised manner. This will be a most desirable result, if we come to it gradually; for were the diggings suddenly to fail, one can hardly bear to anticipate the effect. As it is, those who got gold by digging are almost always working men, who, not having hitherto had money, are ignorant how to use it, and riot, profusion, and waste are the almost universal consequences. Some few are prudent, and saving with their gains; but they are the exception. As it is, those who really profit by the gold are the merchants who buy and ship it, and the publicans, and all classes in business. The shops are crowded with low vulgar men ―and worse women― often throwing down notes and nuggets and rejecting change with contempt. As to ―’s project of sending out a contingent of governesses, I should not consider it expedient just now. A great many respectable established families are now going home, at any rate for two or three years, until the present unpleasant state of things passes away, as many prophesy it will. There are already several newly arrived governesses seeking situations. A lady told me, last week, that almost every one she had seen lately had a governess to recommend; added to which, the pay is not good. Houses, too, are so inconveniently small, that few people have accommodation for resident governesses. Brighton Gazette Thursday, March 24, 1853. News from “The Diggings.” By the ship “Sydney”, which arrived from Australia towards the close of last week, a great number of letters from emigrants were received, and were delivered to their relatives and friends in Brighton on Friday last. Upon the whole, they are of an unfavourable character. We have succeeded in procuring extracts from several; but in some instances, our applications have received a positive refusal, and we understand that in such instances the accounts are of a most unsatisfactory character. We hear that some of the emigrants, after a short trial, have returned to England, and the account which they give of this new El Dorado, does not at all tally with many accounts which are still published. We had hoped that the parties receiving letters here would have thought it advisable to give the public of this county all the news which they possess, so that persons might not be misled. Our population places greater reliance on the statement of known friends than on accounts from those unknown. The letters which we publish will, without doubt, be read with much interest; and to those who have kindly favoured us with extracts, we tender our thanks on behalf of the public at large. To police constable Vincent, of Brighton, from his brother in Australia, who was formerly in the Brighton Police Force, but who has been settler in Australia for some time. There is no date to this letter.
From the son of a tradesman in North Street to his brother. The emigrant’s father has received another letter of a similar tendency. Prahan, Near Melbourne, Australia Dec. 1st 1852. My dear brother,― At last I have the opportunity of writing a few lines to you, hoping it will find you and dear father and mother, and all the rest, well, happy, and comfortable. I only wish I could say it left me so; but unfortunately I am neither; well I have not been since I came on shore; happy or comfortable in this place is out of the question altogether. I intend, if any way possible to go to the Diggings in the course of a week or so. The accounts from them are not very flattering, inasmuch as the number of diggers increase by thousands, and there is less quantity of gold found; but I mean to take my chance. I fear very much it is a poor one; but I mean to get some. I must first tell you I have been very ill indeed; I have not had one day’s good health since I have been on shore, and I hardly expect to have while I stop in this vile country, which I can assure you won’t be very long. When I have been to the Diggings and found the “big nuggits” that are waiting for me, I shall return home immediately, and even if I don’t find them, I shall come home; if I have to work my own passage I don’t care. I would not stop here on any account. It’s very evident the climate does not agree with me---- I would not have you, my dear brother, come here for all the world; as I am here it cannot be helped; but I wish to God I had never come. I will tell you how it is you do not hear more of the “black” side of the question; it is because the people that come here, when they find themselves so disappointed, do not like to own it; they do not wish to own they have been “humbugged” consequently they send home flattering accounts. And if they do not actually do that, they do not tell the truth, which is as bad; if they told the truth, they would say almost every one is attacked with coughs, colds, influenza, rheumatism, fever, lumbago, bad eyes etc. They would also say that hundreds die off, like “rotten sheep”, and likewise that the climate is nothing like so good as England, all of which I swear to be true. These things are all contradicted in England. They said at home, too, that the consumption was never known here; why I scarcely meet a soul but what looks more like a tenant of the grave than of this earth! I firmly believe the climate is more calculated to kill people than cure them. Whatever you do, “don’t come here.” Never mind what you may hear or read; take my advice and “don’t come”’ I have given it plenty of consideration; and positively say I would rather “starve” in England than live here in plenty. There is no society, no enjoyment, no comfort, in fact “no nothing.” You are expected to have plenty of money, and to spend it; if you have not, you are no use here. The Irish are the most wealthy here; and some time ago, I am told, an English man dare not go out after dark, if he did, the Irish would almost kill him; but now the English are too numerous, consequently all those disturbances are quelled. The way the Irish make the money here is either by “gold digging” or else “bush ranging.” They have got a plan of “sticking” people “up,” that is, they stop them on the roads, and even in the town and rob them of all they have. The “game” is carried on to a fearful extent; but I have no doubt it will be put a stop to, as the police and soldiers are becoming very numerous here now. A few weeks ago four men “stuck up”’ no less than twenty two persons in the public highway, and robbed them of all they had just by a town called Brighton, at four o’clock in the afternoon. What do you think of that on a bright sunny afternoon? Some of the persons stopped were on horseback. The four men stopped everybody on the road for two hours and a half. I believe that’s what you may call business. They don’t do things by halves here: they make you strip to the skin; and if you have any money about you, they’ll have it, and no mistake. Dec.7, 1852: Dear Den, - Since I wrote the above, I am happy to say I have improved in health wonderfully; in fact I begin to feel all right. I am off to the diggings tomorrow (Wednesday), a favourable opportunity having occurred of getting up there. Mr Livett and I are going together. We are sure of getting up safe, as we have plenty of protection. It is time I was off, for having been so ill, my money is almost all gone; but I have enough left to get there. It is my only chance: if I fail, why it can’t be helped; but I shall try hard you may depend. I would write more, but cannot, as I have so much to do in the shape of getting things ready for the diggings. I shall be very glad when all this worry and bother is over, I can tell you. I would sooner be at home in the shop than out here; but “to the diggings – to the diggings.” That’s the only chance; there I must either make a “haul” or lose “all”. Whichever way it is, I shall return home as soon as possible; for, as I have before said, I cannot bear to be away from home, even supposing the country was ever so beautiful. The accounts from the diggings have been more favourable this last week. There has been more gold found than lately. I met Thatcher the other day in Melbourne; he is very well. Tucker, Bambridge, and Chate and all that party are at the diggings; and I believe, are doing very well. Mr Mussell is at the diggings, but I hear he is not doing much good; in fact it is a mere lottery, scarcely one in a hundred get any money at all, and not one in a thousand makes a fortune. Under such circumstances, it must appear evident that it is almost madness to come. Your affectionate brother. P.S. – I will write by the next mail, and let you know how I get on, in case any of my letters have miscarried. Direct to Mr Juniper, Ironmonger, Swanston Street, Melbourne. To Mr and Mrs Tillstone, from their son, Francis J. Tillstone. Melbourne, Victoria, Sunday, November 28, 1852 Dear Father and Mother, ―I heard of a situation to cook for a gentleman who was living in the bush, about seven miles from Melbourne, under government survey. I accordingly made application for the place and succeeded in getting it. Here I have been ever since, living in the bush. We are as happy as princes. I have a tent to myself (18 feet by 10 feet), and nothing to do except cook for my master and myself, and mind the tents. You would scarcely think how comfortable we are, with nothing but a piece of canvass for a house. We have several heavy showers of rain (I was going to say, but it never stops to rain in this country but comes down by buckets full) since I have been here; but none can come through the tents. My wages are £1.5s.a week clear, with my rations. There has been a considerable reduction in wages within the last month or two, on account of so many emigrants having arrived. There have been as many as two, three or four thousand in a week, in fact there were four ships, besides the Hebrides (our ship), sailed into the Bay together, being five ships containing upwards of 1000 emigrants in one day. The Great Britain arrived here about ten days since, and landed 635. She was 85 days on the passage. That is much longer than was expected; but she could not make the Cape of Good Hope, and was obliged to put back to St Helena for coals, on account of unfavourable winds. The accounts that are received from the Diggings are very indifferent ― some persons are making their fortunes whilst others are starving. There are about 150,000 persons at the Mount Alexander and Bendigo Diggings; and the amount of gold brought from there last week was only 50,000 grams, which is only ⅓ of an ounce to each person on average in a week. The truth is, it is a day too late for the Gold Diggings; there are too many there already. We have two persons in our party that have been there; they both say it is no use to go, unless you have a capital of £50 or £100, so as you can afford to sink three or four holes before you find anything. No man can live under 50 shillings a week at the Diggings, although he has no house-rent to pay. Bread is 6s. the 4lb loaf; meat, 1s.6d. and 2s.; candles, 2s10d per lb; butter 7s. a lb; milk 2s. a pint; salt, 2s.6d. per lb; and other things in proportion. In Melbourne, you cannot get a bed under 2s. a night, and then you cannot call it a bed. In this colony it is termed a “shake down”: they throw a lot of straw mattresses down in a row along the floor, and then some blankets stretched over them. In this way some six or seven people are accommodated in one room or more according to the size of it, for which, as I said before, you pay the moderate sum of 2s. For a dinner you must pay 2s.; tea or breakfast, 1s.6d.; or if you go and get board and lodging it will cost 30s.,35s., and 40s.a week; in fact 30s.is the lowest I have heard of yet. It is much the best plan for new comers to get a situation on first landing, even if it be only for a month, just so as to be able to look about them, and see what the country is. It is impossible to form any idea at home, for the country is so changeable, on account of so many people coming which over-stock the place. Directly there are any new diggings discovered, everybody that has any money is off, and the town is quite empty. If there are many more emigrants come here, wages will soon be down to a mere nothing; but if things keep as they are now, any person may get a decent living. The best trades are carpenters, blacksmiths, shoemakers, and sailmakers. As soon as I can save a few pounds I intend to start a little shoemaking on my own account. I tried a shop; but found my work was not ornamental enough. Shoemakers can earn £4 or £5 a week. I wish Uncle Charles was out here. Him and me together might do well. I shall send you one or two newspapers with this. I hope you will write often, and also send me some papers. I should advise any one coming out here to bring no luggage whatever, except just a change and a few pair of boots. There are no black clothes wanted in this colony; in fact, everything in the way of clothes is almost as cheap here as in England, except boots: Bluchers are 28s.a pair, Wellingtons, 50s.; and you cannot get a patch put of any description under 2s.6d., which you would give 3d. for in England. One of the greatest nuisances in this country are the insects: millions and millions of ants (not such ones as in England, but some of them are an inch and a half long). The flies are the greatest nuisance in the world; it is a day’s work for any man to keep them off his face. And as to the meat in this country, you have to kill it as you want it, and then think yourself lucky if you get it fresh. The other day we killed a sheep at dinner-time, and when I went to cut some for tea it was as full of maggots as ever it could stick; and this morning I cooked some chops for breakfast and in half an hour afterwards it was covered. The towns in this country are laid out far superior to any of the towns in England; but I must stop here: that is all I can say in favour of them, for as to the houses they are not fit for pigsties compared with the houses in Brighton and London, unless you go to Lissom Grove for them. The best houses are in Collingwood, just outside Melbourne; but the chief of them are built of wood, and only one story. Rent is enormous; you cannot get a room under 25s. or 30s. a week I have never seen anything of any Brightonians since I have been here, but heard that one party was gone to the diggings and had been “stuck up” (robbed) on the road. I think I have said nearly all. I shall conclude with my kindest love to you all. I remain Your most affectionate son, Francis J Tillstone. P.S. – We expect to be moving our tents on Wednesday next, when we shall be going much nearer towns. We shall encamp between Collingwood and Flemmington, about a mile and a half from Melbourne. When you write you will, of course, direct to me at the Post office, Melbourne, Port Phillip Australia. (To be called for) From Mr J Spencer (late of Cannon Place) to Messrs Beck and Pearman, Kings Road. Melbourne, November 28, 1852 Dear Friends – I had a capital passage. At present I am doing well. But at first we were all out of spirits. Think of getting a penny loaf for a penny in England; and then paying 6d.for one here, and no change! They never give any change out of silver. It is a fine country: cabbages 30s.per dozen; and potatoes 6d.each! The principal inhabitants are the scum of that dear native land, Ould England; and half of them from Ould Ireland. They all keep horses, and ride like fury; and are as independent as possible. There are a number from Brighton, that I am quite sure would like to be on her beach again; because hard work would kill them. I was very lucky on board the ship; for when I left Gravesend, I had but 18s. in the world. I bought goods to that amount; but when I got to Melbourne I sold them well, having cleared £5, and before I left the ship. There is plenty of buying and selling on the way, when the people land; and being quite at home among them in that respect, I laid out my money, and bought and sold again, and I think I can say, with a clear conscience, that I have cleared, in a little more than a fortnight, £20 clear of all expenses, and I am paying £2.2s.a week for my board and lodging. There is plenty of money to be made here, if people know how to go to work; but they must not be stupid. Had I known when I left, I might as well have cleared £500 or £600; for guns and pistols are fetching no end of prices. Some of them which cost not much more than £1 are fetching here from £15 to £20. If you like to send out some, I will give you 20 per cent on the outlay, and send you gold dust to the amount as soon as the goods arrive. [The writer here gives instructions how they are to be packed, and then directed to ‘J. Spencer, at Mr Tankard’s Temperance Hotel, Lansdell St., Melbourne’] I have sold some of the goods that I bought out of Mr Roger’s; and I have put the £20 away to buy some gold the first opportunity to send home to him. Goods not made up are very cheap; in fact there is no selling them at any price, and I have got about £5 worth. I dress like the inhabitants; and the people take me for an old inhabitant. I bought 40 pair of boots and shoes yesterday, and I sold them to a person to sell again, and cleared £4.18s., and very little trouble. If I had any one to sell for me, I could do twice the business. I think there will be a great alteration before long in this country. We shall be in a pretty state if the gold fields fail. I see diggers every day; some give you good accounts, some bad; but I must have a go myself after the specimens I saw this morning. I want to sell out my little stock; and then I am off like a shot, and no mistake. I saw Mr Mackarell today; but I do not know what he is doing. Everything is falling in price. Flour is much lower, and horses is lower than when I went first to the auction mart. There is nothing but auctions, as you will see by the newspapers. I am afraid to meddle with horseflesh, for they steal horses every day from one place or another. A man with a horse and dray earns about £4 or £5 per day. They will not move you a box a mile without you pay them 8s. or 10s., and then it is a favour. There are several hackney carriages, and they will not move a wheel without a sovereign; and that must be under a mile. These men are making money like dirt. The beer is 6d.per glass; what do you thing (sic) of that for a price? I wish you could move all your goods here, you would make a fortune. I have left off drinking beer, and all kinds of drink; for I cannot think of giving 6d for a glass of ale. To Mr Humphrey, tailor Bond Street from his sons. Dear Father and Mother, Sister and Brother,― This is the first opportunity we have had since leaving the ship for giving you an account of our proceedings. We joined a party on board, a young man named Wood, about the same as ourselves, and a middle aged man named Alwin, the latter of whom having a wife and seven children. Our object in joining with them was to share the expenses of passage and luggage, it coming cheaper in boats than by steamers. The captain made all pay their landing. The Brighton party and the captain had disagreed; so he was not very polite. We left the ship on Monday morning, September 26, and landed at Le Hardy’s Beach. Alwin has a large tent in which we lived and stowed our boxes for two or three days. Melbourne is crowded and excited, lodgings and storage so expensive. We left the beach for a place called Prahan two miles to the right of Melbourne. After tenting a few days, we started for Forest Creek, Mount Alexander. The rainy season is not over, the roads very bad; and in the Black Forest the dray stuck fast in the mud up to the axle. Here and there were bullocks lying putrid, the stench from which was awful, 14 and 16 two - wheeled carts. This is the worst and most dangerous part of the journey, 12 miles across and hundreds in extent. It is the resort of bush-rangers. Four of us and Alwin’s eldest boy, aged 12, were five days on the road, two nights very wet; and we found our oil cloth very useful. We met a few diggers returning, but there was no getting any account of the extent of their luck. The distance to the Mount is 80 miles, and we arrived quite well, without being once molested, though some of the “Statesman’s” people were interrupted but trifling. We pitched our tent on a hill looking into Forest Creek, and made it partly of boughs and partly of our own materials. The ground bordering the creek is all upturned like a new churchyard, and covered with numberless tents of all sizes and shapes for three or four miles. The holes near the creek are all full of water and abandoned everywhere, having a gloomy and stagnant appearance. For the first two or three days we set about washing the earth in the creek, and only got five or six pieces the size of a pin’s-head. We had only tin dishes and sieves (as a cradle was not to be had under eight guineas); and the most industrious could get no more than would pay expenses. Myself, Herbert, and Alwyn (sic) then commenced sinking a hole; but Wood, having no funds, returned home. We began twelve feet square and seven feet deep, and then reduced the size about one third, and continued sinking till we reached 23 feet, having to pull up the earth in a bucket. The work lay principally between Herbert and myself, Alwyn having the dysentery for eight days; and we all thought he would have died. We washed the earth a dozen times, but no signs of gold were to be seen; plenty of glittering mica. We had got through the pipe clay into the rock, which is called the bottom, when water made its appearance, and we then gave over. Three out of four are complaining – many are sinking ten or twelve holes without a sight of it. Expenses are so great: a quartern loaf (short weight), 6s.; sugar, 2s.to 2s.6d. per lb; salt, 2s.6d,; cheese, 3s.6d.; rice 10d; oatmeal,1s.3d; mutton, 5s.the hind quarter, 4s the fore ditto; bottled porter, 14s.; bottle of rum, 25s. The place where we sunk is called Sailor’s Gully, one of the number of valleys running into Forest Creek. At sunset the firing commences. Guns, pistols, and revolvers are fired off at intervals, which continues till midnight. No one leaves his tent after dark. We have not heard of any successful Brightonian; most of them are on Moonlight Flat. After a fortnight’s stay, and nearly half our money gone, we decided on returning at once, before situations became filled by the swarms of new comers. We started on Saturday, October 22nd, at noon, a fine day, rather warm, and reached Kyneton, a pretty village, 20 miles away, where we slept in a half built house, with no roof. We had a good night’s rest and were off again early, reaching Carlsruhe, where we fell in with Wood, who had a place on the road, at £3 per week. We walked on to Five Mile Creek, which has an inn and a few houses, in fact a rendezvous for desperados. We afterwards entered the Black Forest, reaching the Bush Inn, another depot for scamps. This was on Sunday, the 23rd, at 4p.m. We saw a bush-ranger taken by four of the escort, his horse shot under him; he was a smart fellow and well dressed; he had just robbed a man of 1s.6d. We got a loaf here (4s.6d.) and kept on five miles further, slept in the open air, rose before daybreak, and took a different road here from the one coming up, passing some most romantic spots of fine looking country. We got into the plains now. Hitherto it was all trees like Hyde Park, but such a sameness, only two or three varieties all the way, mostly the red gum tree. Passing the deep creek, a beautiful but wild precipitous winding valley, we continued over a fine open grazing country, and passed a pretty spot called Green Gully. There are no more places worth speaking of till we reach Flemmington, three miles from Melbourne, which we entered at 6p.m., being three miles more from Melbourne to Prahan, and became quite exhausted having frequently to rest. We walked 35 miles this day! Oct. 24: We boarded and lodged in Alwyn’s tent with great inconvenience. We now looked out for work, which is scarce for labourers. We got two and a half day’s employment at wooden house building, 10s.each a day. Then fell to at wood cutting, 10s.a load; but could only make 15s.a day between us, too little for such hard work, and gave it up.. We stayed in the tent a week, and were charged 22s.each. We were glad to leave then. We took a house for which we paid £4 a month in advance. Two rooms: live in one, let the other at 10s.a week to two men off the Statesman. Most of the houses in the country are of wood. A week after we entered, I went into Melbourne, called on several tailors, and got work at last in Swanston Street. The master, a little man called Bardwell, came out four years ago quite bad off at first, talked of going home again, raised £5, and is now worth £2000 or £3000. It is nearly opposite Juniper’s. I get there at 9a.m., and leave at 6p.m. Two miles walk does me good. I have been poorly twice with dysentery, and lost a day’s work, but am quite hearty now. Wages are, 12s.6d. and 15s. for trousers;12s. and 14s.for vests; £2.5s.for coats. I can earn £3 to £3.10s.a week, at trousers and vests ― some earn £4.10s, and more. Herbert got work about the same time, close to our house. He is at work building cottages, has a comfortable master, earned £2 the first week, and has the prospect of more if he suits and gets tools. He is likely to keep on for some time, and prefers it to hairdressing. With £100, a man who can handle a few tools can make his fortune in a few years. Many talk of returning to England to retire. Numbers predict unfavourably of the future, such myriads of arrivals. Some say a famine will ensue; too much labour in the market of the wrong sort ―clerks, drapers, tailors, shoemakers, shopmen etc, not wanted. Hundreds are tented: no house to be got. Living is dear, 4lb loaf, 2s.; meat, 5d.per lb; cabbage, 1s.each; potatoes, 8d.per lb; butter, 2s6d.; cheese,2s.; ale 1s.per quart; milk, 1s.per quart; sugar 3d.,4d.,and 5d.per lb; tea, 2s.6d,; coffee, 1s.6d.; green peas, 1s.per quart; bacon, 3s.6d.per lb; wood, £3 a cart load; water, 8s.a buttful. Now a little about the climate and locality. In a month’s time it will be midsummer – it is now very warm, morning and evening cold, dark at seven, and clearer and lighter excepting when the hot winds are blowing, when it is insufferable. Men wear veils. The air is filled with dust, and appears like a mist, with swarms of sand flies which injure the eyes. We have had heavy thunder and lightning lately. Last winter was long and wet. The rainy season being now over, the earth begins to dry up – weather variable but rarely foggy. Melbourne is a healthy place, regularly laid out, with some good shops. We are quite comfortable. And have resolved on bettering our condition. We shall certainly prefer living in England, some future time, and advise any one who is getting a living, and can save a little to stay at home contented, and not let gold digging induce them to leave a certainty for an uncertainty, unless they have good friends here to receive them. Just picture 1000 or 1500 more tents encamped around Melbourne, exposed to wind and weather, occupied by a large portion of a nondescript class, having a long distance to go for wood and water! Numbers, some with families, applying for situations, none to be had! It is truly pitiable, roughing it with a vengeance. Tell Fred not to think of coming out yet till he hears more from us; a few months will tell tales about labour in this country if fresh diggings are not discovered. Tell him to stick to industry, economy and his freehold. We hope you are all in good health and plenty of trade……. You will be glad to know that we have made no sacrifice and not been put to any extremity yet, but are saving money while in work. Tell our dear sister that pinking is much worn here; but we have had no chance of getting a connection yet. We are most anxious to know all that has transpired since we left home…. Lockyear has gone shepherding, but I have not seen him. The Brighton party are all scattered. Herbert wishes to be remembered to Mrs Overton, and me to all enquirers. We sent a letter on our arrival in port Phillip by the “Australian,” which we hope you have got. We will send more particulars in our next, and endeavour to write for every mail. We are most anxious to hear from you, and have enquired several times at the post office, but no luck. Six steamers have arrived, not one in less time than a sailing ship. The “Great Britain” has just come in 82 days. We were 83 days land to land. We now conclude, hoping you have had a merry Christmas, and that you will enjoy a prosperous new year. From your affectionate sons, Henry Humphrey Herbert Humphrey. 
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