| Title: | McIlrath, James L to McIlrath, John, 1892 |
|---|---|
| ID | 4524 |
| Collection | The McIlrath Letters: A family history in letters from New Zealand to Ireland (1860-1915) [Bassett, McKee et al.] |
| File | mcilrath/43 |
| Year | 1892 |
| Sender | McIlrath, James L |
| Sender Gender | male |
| Sender Occupation | farmer |
| Sender Religion | unknown |
| Origin | Lakeside, Canterbury, New Zealand |
| Destination | Killinchy, Co. Down, Northern Ireland |
| Recipient | McIlrath, John |
| Recipient Gender | male |
| Relationship | brothers |
| Source | |
| Archive | |
| Doc. No. | |
| Date | |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | |
| Log | unknown |
| Word Count | 455 |
| Genre | ilness, acquaintances, local economy, politics |
| Note | |
| Transcript | Lakeside Canterbury N.Z. 8th August 1892 Dear Brother John I received yours of the 22nd April and sent you a newspaper by last mail. It is strange that I never get those you send, I would enjoy reading home papers very much. I have not had one only the one with Mother's death for a long time. We are all well and was happy to hear that your family was well but sorry to learn that you are not as you would wish to be. My health is good considering how little excercise I get. The disease in my knee left my joint nearly stiff and when I stand the foot is within three Inches of the ground. I have to use crutches, anything I do I must do it sitting and being so accustomed to work I feel the inconvenience very much. My sight also gave way and is weak. The severe illness, sleepless nights and much reading in bed with lamplight and the shock I received through the death of my dearest companion in life all combined, has, I believe, been in a great measure the cause. But we must submit, we will not always be young, we have had our springtime and summer and now in the autumn of life let us endeavour to clothe ourselves in a suitable raiment for the fast approaching winter of life. I was glad to hear of old friends the Messrs and Miss Jellies. What a change, but this is a world of change. Hamilton and family is well. We hear from them often. He wants me to pay them a visit but I would have little pleasure although I would much like to see them all (I may take courage and go). You talk of hard times. We have about 50 tons of good potatoes and they would not fetch 50 shillings. I have known and seen when they would have fetched £250. Our markets is so unreliable that we never know what to grow. Our potatoes is all sound as yet, barley is sometimes unsaleable, oats not worth growing and wheat ruled by the London market, the carriage so far reducing the price greatly. In fact we have far too much for local use and has to rely on the outside markets. Fancy good bacon pigs sold last March at two pence per pound or £0.17.6 per cwt and now selling at three pence halfpenny per lb. everything is only a lottery. I see Gladstone is likely to be Premier again and that you have been having lively times in Belfast. I think it strange that William never writes. Hoping this will find you all in good health. I remain your affectionate brother James |
