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Newsletter No 28 May 2004
PAGE 7
A Page of Nostalgia:
Pauline and Ian Bedwell
have sent in a copy of letters sent by Great Grandfather, Edward
Bedwell to his brother Harry Bedwell living in Rushworth at the time.
__________________________________
.
H.M.S. EDITH, |
SYDNEY. |
APRIL 13TH 1866 |
My dear Harry,
I received your letter yesterday in which you gave me a long account of
your doings and future intentions and asking me to join in some speculation.
At present I am not in a condition to do so but had written some time since
requesting that all my Vancouver investments be turned into money and the
amount forwarded to me, perhaps when that is finished I may be in a better
position to join you. I am very glad to hear that your investments are
turning out well in the gold way and also that you are thinking of taking
up land and stocking it but I would not be in too much of a hurry to fence
in at once do what you can first without crippling youself. Stock I should
think would pay well but look about well before you buy get the advice
of a squatter or some honest trustworthy and could you leave your mining
work for a short time without detriment try and get some work on a station
where you no doubt would pick up a good deal of useful knowledge.
But keep your own counsel and let nobody know your ultimate views.
Farming and keeping stock are not things learnt in a day I imagine and
some experience is necessary, in the meanwhile you might buy the land let
the money remain for interest in a bank and when you think your experience
is sufficient to go ahead make a beginning. It is indispensable to
have a creek or running stream on your land for cattle I am given to understand
so don't buy a pig in a poke. Could you not join Woods in a hay and corn
store at Melbourne as partner perhaps it would answer well. The knowledge
required for that business would not be very great and your education is
quite sufficient for keeping the accounts. If you found such a concern
promised well pay a little more than he has at first. Melbourne is
a rising place and you don't know what may turn up. The boys will want
schooling a bit and it perhaps is difficult to get them taught at Rushworth.
So you have an addition to your family. I am very glad they will all be
of a help to you before long I have no doubt.
As regards helping you I am thinking of marrying and in such a case I should
require what money I could scrape up for the business that is the reason
I wish to turn my V.1. securities into money. Marriage in society is a
serious matter ladies requiring expensive dresses etc., etc., that at times
I look aghast at the subject and see myself condemned to perpetual bachelorhood
with its attendant vices and evils for I am mounting up in the scale of
years and my chance may soon go. There are lots of fine young ladies here
but their tastes are all so expensive and they have few ideas except dressing
up and playing the piano.
You may remember my Melbourne speculations. I have heard nothing of them
lately and fear that the money was thrown into the fire. Findlay I hear
has left the Bank of India and taken to sending horses to Bombay. I wrote
to him some time ago but have received no answer which makes one suspect
my affairs are in Queer Street. Perhaps you may be able to make enquiries
about the South Crinoline Amalgamated Quartz Mining Company Limited Donneity's
Creek, North Gippsland. J. Watson was the broker from whom I bought
the shares, he lives 26 Collins Street West. On thinking over matters
it is not impossible but that you may see me in Melbourne some time this
year. (DV) Breton did not tell me anything about hurting himself I am very
sorry to hear it especially as he is inclined to be delicate. I have
advised him to try and get some clerical employment in the vicinity of
London should he remain on half pay any time. I heard from Comberton by
the last mail they are all much the same as usual. I should like Aunt Hyacinthe
to live with Breton as it would be a pleasant change for her and as she
draws 25 pounds a year from some fund it would almost pay for her keep.
Uncle H. ought to get a church somewhere near them and he would greatly
change for the better. How his grand nephews would ?
bully ? and
amuse him. I took home a parrot some years ago for Aunt Rebecca and it
keeps them all alive they have no other pet so this does capitally for
them.
April 20th 1866.
I have kept this open expecting to hear some news from England but have
as yet heard nothing some of our letters being detained in Adelaide in
the Commodores bag. Captain Sidney is going home on six months leave and
I am left in temporary charge but it will not be very much to my advantage
except some four or five shillings a day. I must now conclude having my
home letters to write and the mail leaves for England tomorrow so good
bye for the present. We sail on Monday next for a surveying cruise
and will probably be absent for six weeks. There is a ? live
? French Prince
in Sydney and he is being very much honoured his name is Prince de Coude
and he arrived here a short time back by the mail steamer.
With best love to
all believe me dear Harry,
Your affectionate brother E. P. Bedwell
(Further extracts will be published in later editions of our newsletter)
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