| Title: | J. A. Smyth, Essex to, J. J Smyth, Castledamph |
|---|---|
| ID | 2778 |
| Collection | Irish Emigration Database |
| File | Smyth, James Alexander/45 |
| Year | 1897 |
| 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. | 0401017 |
| Date | 12/09/1897 |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | EMG |
| Log | Document added by LT, 20:01:2004. |
| Word Count | 855 |
| Genre | |
| Note | |
| Transcript | Envelope addressed to:-< < Mr. J A Smyth Castledampeh Plumbridge Co Tyrone Ireland Front of Envelope Arred [Arrived?] Sept 23 1897 STAMPED ESSEX SP13 97 ONT STAMPED ESSEX ONT Back of Envelope STAMPED NEWTOWNSTEWART AM [--?] [--?] Essex Ont Sept 12th 1897 Dear Parents I received your letter last week of Aug 26th and am pleased to know that you are all well. I had been waiting for a letter for a few days previous. as I was not certain what you thought of me going to school another year. However, I had commenced before I got your letter. I have just got about settled for work now. I have got all the necessary text books for this year. The following is the list of Books for my work, Algebra, Euclid, books, I II III Literature, (selected poems by Gray Cowper, Tennyson,) History of ancient Greece and Rome, Latin (The latin grammar and for translation. Latin De Bellia Gallia books II III IV Virgils aeneid [bks?] 1 English Composition, Physics (part II on sound light Electric currents, vibrations and a lot of other chapters too numerous [to mention?] Chemistry Botany-advanced studies on this subject. The compulsory subjects for III Form or Junior leaving or Second class (any of these mean the same) are Algo Literature Euclid latin Eng Comp [English Composition?], ancient History, The regulations this year are amended in as to allow the following options (a)French Greek (b)German Greek (c)French German chemistry (d)French physics and chemistry (e)German physics and chemistry (f)Botany physics and chemistry I had not the languages so I took the last option a few others did the same. The last one is the easiest for me as I have had Botany before, I was a little surprised that you did not mention that you got those papers with the result of the examination in it I sent the first one on Aug 3rd as you should had it when you wrote. I failed on Second part in Composition so I suppose I should write more letters and etc this year in order to pass next year. I only got 18% on this subject and I got high marks in all the others, Composition was the only subject I failed on but it is a very important subject here and they mark very close on it, However when I am going on to school this year it does not matter as I expect to be able to get through next year all right, I see by the papers that there is a famine in view in Ireland this year Heavy rain [etc?] [spoiled?] the crops and everything is in a bad condition. In last nights paper the Lieutenant Gov [Governor?] of Ireland reports that these reports of the crops is exaggerated. We have had quite warm weather here this past week almost as warm as it was in July. I suppose you people are commencing the harvest about now. all harvesting and most all the threshing is finished around. Uncle has not threshed yet at least he had not done so when I was down on Monday, I think he is waiting until he sells some of his old wheat to make room for the new. Wheat is rising in price here I suppose flour has gone up a little with you. Charlie and Annie are at home now. They went to Toronto fair on Monday. I saw them coming back at the train on Friday night. They are going back to St Thomas on Wednesday. It seems you people think its terrible for anyone to join the army. I think all this is for want of a little knowledge of the outside world, the majority never went any further away than the Plum, I wish you would give one his address when in India. It is possible for him to be in India all his life and never see a battle, How long does he have to serve. I think I have said all that I think particular, I may send you Essex Free press this week and you can see some school news. I remain Yours James A Smyth I enclose a clipping from a newspaper which contains the courses for the 1st and 2nd class and perhaps some one over there may be interested to know the courses. For Junior Leaving you have to take the obligatory subjects and any one of the optionals from a to f. If one wanted matriculation (I think matriculation here is good to enter university in the old country on) they have to take the obligatory subjects two languages and chemistry, now if I want matriculation I only have to study two more languages at any time and I get matriculation. Supposing I passed next year then wanted matriculation all I would have to do would be study two languages and pass on them, this can be done by taking private lessons and at the same time teaching in whatever business you may be engaged in, I just give you this news if anyone wants information regarding This country in Educational matters you can supply them. Jas [James?] P.S. Say when you write give me the inspectors name and address and I will write him to see what standing he would give me in Ireland on my certificate here. Just for the fun of knowing. Transcribed by Greg Floyd |
