Letter from Frederick Paulin to his son Frederick Arthur Paulin, dated Nov 29^th  [1887]

Acock’s Green, November 29

Dear Fred,

It is I think sometime since I wrote a letter to BC, though the interval has been frequently represented by a newspaper to me or the other of you. During this seeming absence however I have been fully engaged in searching for a few crumbs in the matter of keeping the cart upon its wheels for things are not any better in the old country than all counts doubtless tell you, and the period of improvement in kind cannot be said to have yet come to hand.  The break front has been a hybrid one lately combining cigar selling with advertisement canvassing for an Hindustani Journal.  The more scarcely agree very well looks like up too much of this time whilst I independently they are not self-supporting or rather individually efficiently remunerative so I am jogging along. My health thank God continues good and something I am told contributes to my health rather than not.  My ground lately has been [illegible] hire Yorkshire and is so far from hours I would rather have home ground which would enable me to run back at night, but as we are not likely to have every thing just convenient to our wishes the point is yielded to the necessity.  You no doubt know Bessie left here on the Egypt 27 Oct and had a peaceful voyage.  Who were just holding on though what the Captain described as the worst weather he had witnessed for 16 years in the Atlantic.  I speculate when she will reach you and am disposed to be [illegible] you will united by find a way for her to pass your

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Will it be before or by Xmas next if so it would be I know a season with you of festivity seasoned with many a thought and sentiment of House and your family connections.  We shall DV not fail to be with you all in spirit on our customary manner going through a mimic Xmas.  But not such as it[illegible] to be when my boys as well as girls roared out their cheery welcome of the fiery pudding as it lit up the circling jacks and revealed the greatest delight possible.  But shall we not yet meet all round some festive board [illegible] the final expansion in some one or more of us takes place?  I hope so!  One more union of now distracted members of an normally affectionate family will I divine and believe to be permitted us yet,  Isn’t that something grand to look forward to?

I met with a man in Leeds of the name Whitlock son of a tavern keeper there I know, who had come hours invalided from Victoria after working in a brickyard for I think Dunsmuir and coming from £12to £18 per brick there.  He said the air was too strong for him so he shifted to Chicago where he got worst and came home where I think he will stop.

Bessie’s address if 449 Dean Str Brooklyn NY.  We write in affection to you all, pass these sentiments round From your very affectionate Father.