| Title: | J A Smyth, Ontario, to Eliza C Smyth, Castledamph |
|---|---|
| ID | 2813 |
| Collection | Irish Emigration Database |
| File | Smyth, James Alexander/75 |
| Year | 1898 |
| 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, Eliza C. |
| Recipient Gender | female |
| Relationship | siblings |
| Source | Copyright Retained by Mr & Mrs J Smyth, Castledamph, Plumbridge, Co Tyrone, Castledamph@btinternet.com |
| Archive | Mr & Mrs J Smyth |
| Doc. No. | 0506066 |
| Date | 27/12/1898 |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | EMG |
| Log | Document added by LT, 30:06:2005. |
| Word Count | 1191 |
| Genre | |
| Note | |
| Transcript | [Front of Envelope] Miss Eliza C. Smyth Castledamph Plumbridge Co Tyrone Ireland [Stamp torn off] [Written on Front] Miss Eliza [Stamped on Back] HAMILTON DEC 28 14--0 1898 NEWTOWNSTEWART AM 10 0 JA 7 99 [Written on Envelope] Arrived January 9th 99 Monday evg [evening?] [Page 1] South Woodslee Dec 27th ‘98 Dear Sister Now that I have xmas over and all the entertainments I have a little time to write you a letter, I sent a scribble last time as I was busy on a debate, Well the debate was all right [alright?] but my side lost, my supporter did not do very well, he got nervous. However everyone said it was the best debate we ever had in school. There was a [sic] extra large number of people from [Page 2] town the school room was packed. We had Rev. Saunders, Mr Tayler [Taylor?] and Mr Forsythe as Judges, and after the debate was ended. Rev Dr Gifford (Methodist minister) made a short speech complimenting us on our speeches and preparation and moved a vote of thanks which was seconded by English Church Minister Rev Murphy. The other part of the programe [programme?] was also good, it being the last for the term Then our High school entertainment occupied our attention as we were, nearly all of us, taking some part in it. [Page 3] I sent you one of the programmes so you will see the nature of it Those pyramids perhaps may require an explanation Four boys stood on the bottom (I was one) and these four put four more on their shoulders and three more went on top of that, waving a union Jack. so now you see what is ment [meant?] but it would require too much writing to tell you how easy it is too [to?] build them. These exercises were all new to the Essex audience and they took [sic] well, We made $75 out of it at fifteen to 25c tickets [Page 4] The other exercises were all good, it would be a treat if you had one such at home I suppose you are acquainted with [sic] Merchant of Venice. We had all our costumes for it from Detroit and paid £4 for the rest of them, and these flashy costumes made us all look will [well?] and also give a fine appearance to the play. All these entertainments more or less interferred [interfered?] with our school work of course this High School commencement is an annual affair, [Page 5] Last week there was an entertainment in Essex every night except Saturday and I attended three of them. You see the New Town Hall was just opened on this week. and concerts & etc were held back for it We would [sic] had our School concert long ago only waiting until the Hall was finished Your last letter of Dec 8 was something unusual as there was a great deal of news in it. You say to look on the bright side of the picture well I must say to a large [Page 6] extent I do except when one hears of such rows etc in this age of civilization. I'll bet, when you folks notice my expensis [expenses?] etc, you think I look on the bright side of things, although I spend little talking [taking?] girls to concerts and such like. At the opening concerts and the New Hall Essex. four or five of the High School boys tooks [sic] girls but I did not do that as it cost 70c for two reserved seats, so I took a back seat and went alone and only paid a quarter, 25c However I enjoy the bright side pretty much and I [Page 7] must study much harder from this out as we have lost a great deal of time lately. What is that new [ditch?] you mention? I hope you have many changes when I go back to see the place again, You talk about John staying in practising some song and fiddle, it is a very good idea there is nothing that introduces one into society like being a musician of some instrument or a good singer. When John is in Gortin he should get some one [someone?] and take lesson [lessons?] on [sic] piano I wish I had the time and money If I had this opportunity I would take vocal lessons, we have [Page 8] in Essex a number of teachers of piano & vocal. That Miss Laing in the picture is both a singer & player of piano although only a girl of eighteen, I hope John keeps at his practise of music, but it is not much good without a teacher, Now I do not play very much on the fiddle, those tunes I learned at home are not classical enough for here, I have learned a few nice waltzes, which I play sometimes but in all I dont play the 19th part of what I did at home, I see you say you are, going to start dancing its a good thing you [Page 9] have none like my Aunt and a few other Methodists around here, or you would not dance much. Of course Methodists object every where [everywhere?]. All the prespyterians [presbyterians?] dance at Essex and every time [everytime?] I'm asked to a party. I go and dance of course I do’nt come down here and tell it, I am not good on dancing simply because I have no practise, I am always asked to the parties at Richardson's & Laings Essex and I may say these are the Aristocratic people of the town. [Page 10] You mention as not loosing nothing [sic] & standing the times well, I may say I am also [sic] I am getting broader every day [everyday?] but no higher. I am just about like a Duncan J.P. You say Mary is getting very tall, what does she intend to do? There are many over there whom I would not know. I suppose I shall be a stranger in a few more years. Now I have been writing quite a while but I did not tell you how I spent Xmas Well I must say I did not have much fun we were all invited to Cassie [sic] husband [sic] father's Mr Burnetts for [Page 11] Dinner and we spent the most of the day looking at each other, They sang a hymn in the afternoon and I played a few old Irish tunes afterwards, to liven up the proceedings Now religion is all right [alright?] in its place but when it comes to singing Hymns etc on such occasions I'm not in it, And this is the ruling event at parties etc around this part unless the people happen to be of a non - methodists disposition I need not describe my Xmas fun any farther. I had a splendid time Now I send this letter for two cents today so I shall write more frequent [sic] in the future. [Page 12] perhaps one a week, as postage is so cheap, I shall also increase my correspondence so that you people shall be kept in touch with Canadian topics and with things Irish. I must answer every ones letter this week, as I have been putting it off for quite a while. I must also study most everyday this week as I am behind with my work. The people hear [here?] are all will [well?], Sara Duncan is here, Tillie McIlwaine’s I hear is married, Your Brother James A [Alexander?], Smyth Transcribed by Greg Floyd |
