| Title: | J A Smyth, Ontario, J J Smyth, Castledamph. |
|---|---|
| ID | 2715 |
| Collection | Irish Emigration Database |
| File | Smyth, James Alexander/14(2) |
| Year | 1900 |
| Sender | Smyth, James Alexander |
| Sender Gender | male |
| Sender Occupation | school teacher |
| 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. | 0410074 |
| Date | 04/03/1900 |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | EMG |
| Log | Document added by LT, 26:10:2004. |
| Word Count | 1256 |
| Genre | |
| Note | |
| Transcript | Essex. Ont [Ontario?] Mar, 4 1900 Dear Parents, I suppose you are all waiting for letters from me as I have neglected writing for several weeks. I wrote you last week Just as I was going up to the city. I came back again on Sunday noon. Since then we have heard good news from the war. Kimberly relieved and also Lady smith. I expect that Tommy Hay was in the besieged town as his regiment is reported as being there during the siege. On report of Kimberly relieved, the town bells rang, factory whistles were blown, and all the town was decorated with flags. In the afternoon the schools were closed and we had a half holiday. The High School students had a gay old time parading the town. There are a good number of Canadians killed, see yesterdays Globe for pictures of them, I send it to you. I tell you everybody rejoiced, also when Ladysmith was relieved there was a great noise with bells whistles etc. We have one of the largest snow storms that has been for about 15 years. On wednsday [Wednesday?] the trains were unable to move along the road and it has began [begun?] to snow this morning again so that all traffic will soon be suspended, unless it begins to thaw. The snow is very deep and it is hard getting in and out. I hired a hose [horse?] and cutter and had a sleigh ride yesterday evening. My school is getting along fairly well. I had the inspector visit me one day last week. He found it very unsatisfactory not of course in regard to my teaching but he found much fault with the previous teacher, and he and the trustees do not agree very well, on the manner of running of the school. Trusties want two exams per year. He says one is enough and as a result of two exams there are pupils promoted who are not fit and this results in a class of pupils who are weak in the different subjects. However I shall pull them along as best I can, but I am afraid they will not make a [again?] July examination. There is considerable trouble in the manner of discipline. Many are inclined to be talkative and I put the strap to a few on Friday for speaking. I don't know whether I am going to be cross but I do some strapping. I know one thing teaching is not much of a snap, it is hard to control oneself sometimes. I think I mentioned in my last letter that I did not wish any more money as I think my salary will keep me now, I got £9 from you since Jan, and £6 for month of Jan, as salary and that is all gone. I also got a check [cheque?] last night for Feb. salary £6 so that I have enough money to keep me going. It takes a lot of money to keep one going somehow. I bought considerable clothes and I had some debts to pay from last year. It cost me $3 per. week for board and washing and it also cost something to keep up in style. I told last week about the party I attended, well on Monday morn [morning?], I got another invitation by Mrs Laing and Mrs [Wisiner?] This one was all dancing and there were quite a few here from Windsor and other place (sic). Dr Dewar and Crown Attorneys Clakes [Clarkes?] wife and sister from Windsor and several others It was a swell affair, and everybody was not invited either. The music was furnished by Ziekel orchestra of Detroit and Ruthven Windsor one of best violin play (sic) in this part of the country. The music was something grand. I suppose it would cost about £7 or £8 for the night. As this was one of the nights of the snow, trains were late and it was about nine o clock when the musicians arrived. The invitations said 8 oclock I was there about half. past. eight. and as you entered a little boy stood at (sic) door and directed to the dressing rooms up stairs. The stairs divided about half way on first floor and ladies took the right and Gents the left. Then as you came out of dressing room a little boy stood at top of stairs and gave each gentleman a copy of programme. and a little girl did the same on ladies side. As this was the first time for me to be at such a swell affair I hardly knew what to do with these cards. But I soon took the hint and therefore went along as though I had been used to them all my life. Some people think because our people are pretty well off in the old country that they have always been used to these stylish gatherings but they [there?] are none of them around Castledamph. Well when you went down stairs you met the host and hostess and then you had to take your programme which was tied by a little string to upper buttonhole of coat and had a little pencil hanging to it and visit the ladies and secure each lady for whatever dance you wished her for during the night If she wished to dance with you for no 3. say and was not engaged for that one you put her name on your own card at that number and put your name on her card. and so on around until you had filled all the card or at least all that you wished to dance. Of course some ladies would not have very many on their cards. I think I'll send you my card pencil and all. Supper was served after no 14 There were about 100 present and a good many did not come because it was lent ie Eng. [English?] church people. All girls were in full dress and a good many men were. I danced nearly all but I am not very good on these. Mrs Dr Brien gave me a few lessons on the waltz and twostep also her sister Miss Rutherford so that I was able to do a little at these dances. The dances in the old country ie around home are out of date here. I learned quite a lot by going to the one on Friday night but one has to pretend they knew it all before. I was down at Woodslee yesterday morning. only stayed about 15 min [minutes?] as I had to get the train again. They are all well. I suppose they would not dance at all but I don't think it is any harm. One must have some fun. Of course it always involves some expense in getting ready. I think all the parties are nearly over for this winter. The bachelors of the town . ie those young men who have been invited to the other parties are thinking about getting up a ball in return for all those who have asked them out. The great trouble is that there is no place in town where they could hold it. If they get up one I expect to be in it and of course bear my share of the expense I think I have written enough to make up for my long neglect. So good bye for present N.B. I was sorry to hear of Uncle Chas [Charles?] loss hope he got some recompense. JA [James Alexander?] Smyth |
