| Title: | J A Smyth,Ontario to Dear Parents , Co Tyrone |
|---|---|
| ID | 2710 |
| Collection | Irish Emigration Database |
| File | Smyth, James Alexander/12(2) |
| Year | 1899 |
| Sender | Smyth, James Alexander |
| Sender Gender | male |
| Sender Occupation | student |
| Sender Religion | Protestant (Methodist) |
| Origin | Essex Co., Ontario, Canada |
| Destination | Co. Tyrone, N.Ireland |
| Recipient | Smyth, John J. and wife |
| Recipient Gender | male-female |
| Relationship | son-parents |
| Source | Copyright Retained by Mr & Mrs J Smyth, Castledamph, Plumbridge, Co Tyrone, castledamph@btinternet.com |
| Archive | Mr & Mrs J Smyth, Castledamph, Plumbridge. |
| Doc. No. | 0410161 |
| Date | 31/01/1899 |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | EMG |
| Log | Document added by LT, 27:10:2004. |
| Word Count | 1169 |
| Genre | |
| Note | |
| Transcript | Front of envelope Mr John J Smyth Castledamph Plumbridge Co Tyrone Ireland STAMPED ESSEX JA 31 99 ONT. Handwritten: Mary Smyth Back of envelope POSTMARK NEWTOWNSTEWART AM 10 0 FE 13 99 Essex Ont Jan 31st 99 Dear Parents. I received your letter yesterday and I may say it was no surprise to me, as I was looking for one for quite a while. This idea is sustained by the fact that this is the first letter I have got from you with a penny stamp. One would naturally suppose you could write oftener when the reduction in postage was brought about but it does not seem to make any change. However I shall not answer them as I get them and then we will both get an equal share. I must say John can but [put?] more news in a letter than some of the others It (sic) quite an accomplishment to just know how to write a letter that contains some news. Perhaps my introduction is long enough now so I may proceed. I find out by your letters that there is a sort of a religious agitation going on around there Such an occurence [occurrence?] is almost general, there is one man here this week preaching in the hall on divine healing. He says all sickness come (sic) from sin and is the devils agent etc. There is also a sect same as with you here they hold there [their?] meetings in a more private manner so this religious trouble is in more places than one, It is too bad that you had to press my uncle for the money. I wonder he did not pay it before he would let it go so far but, perhaps, he had not the cash. We are having cold weather here now. It comes is [in?] spells last week was mild but this week, temperature is away below zero, The water in the pitcher in my bedroom froze 1/2 in thick last night, It is pretty cold more so than you are accustomed to. In the last Constitution you sent I saw an advertisement concerning Civil Service Exam, by Kelly in Omagh I wrote him for information on that subject I also wrote for the standard of paper for teacher (sic) for training college Dublin I expect I shall get them sent alright. I wonder that Mary did not go on and try some of these examinations and make something of herself She could have fitted herself for a teacher in time. John tells me he stops in and reads books at nights that (sic) a very good idea and if he wished he could keep any line of studies going in that way by doing a little at a time - of course I don't mean to say you should alway [always?] be [dotting?] over a book I don't do it myself but were [I?] working I should like to do so much better, At present I almost hate to stay in every night at books but an hour or so is not very much to spend on some good line of thought, Now boys I would pay little attention to fishing. There is no money in it neither is it an elevating pursuit, if you work all day you should have no desire to (sic) out in such a pursuit. Moreover you should not attempt anything like that in which there is much danger. Essex High Schol played Windsor a game of Basket Ball [Basketball?] on Saturday and our boys got beat 11 to 4 There were fourteen or Fifteen of us went up that day to look on and see the fun and it cost us a little over a dollar each paying our fare up and back. Windsor will play on some future Saturday. I sent Jas [James?] Houston a letter I told him all about the election so I need not repeat it to you. Everything is going along nicely. Programme this Friday evening, and they have me and another boy on for a violin duett [duet?] but I don't play, for once I intended to ask Father one time concerning law, I wish he would ask one of the Attorneys some day when in Strabane how one may be admitted to study law and if there are different ways If one has to serve in an office first and how long and then how many years studying after that If they would wish to know (sic) standing now just tell them I am matriculated in Toronto University I wish this information for myself as well as for a few others here, You might also get an approximate [approximation?] of the cost and if there is any salary as an apprentice in a law office, Just get all the information you can on this subject; and the first time you are in Strabane or any other place Father says he is sorry our side lost on the Debate some side must loose [lose?] There is usually, amongst us in debating, a kind of jealous feelings [feeling?] as to whom the audience think [thinks?] made the best speech and brought out the best points and showed himself capable of handling his subject, This point is usually kept in mind as well as winning the debate so although one may losse [lose?] yet they may gain in other ways. We have some good debaters and speakers here, I tell you it acquaints one to public speaking You ask me how my money is holding out, well I am just out I was waiting on your letter to write and tell you I dare say I have spent this in a hurry. I have bought some things and I took in a couple of concert (sic) one [?] for the prespterian [presbyterian?] church which cost me a dollar each I did intend to buy myself an overcoat this year but I think now I can wear this old one this year. I am wearing this one now for seven years (one I had home with me) and its not very warm at present the best of its days is [are?] over, I have just about 1 1/2 Dollars which will do me for a month or more, My Land Lady [landlady?] is not very particular if I let my board Bill run a month or so or more so that (sic) the reason I am in no hurry [writing?]. I am not getting along as well with my studies this year as the other whether its because I have not as much concentration on my work or that I am too lazy or that the subjects are too difficult for me I hardly know, However whether I pass or not I get the benefit out of it and unless one wishes to teach higher mathematics the subjects are not very much good except for development of mind and reasoning powers. To get along well one should never go out on the evening and study all the time then one can keep their (sic) work up well I think I have said enough now so I must close and get my supper James A Smyth 6.10 PM Tuesday Transcribed by Greg Floyd |
