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home with £3,000, he had been up at the ovens, and has employed many men, one of which was Canny Dickson at £1 per day – What do you think of White head the great heart beating every other Derbyite –

Palmer has been home, got married & brought out his wife to Australia, – Shaw I never hear off – nor Ritchie Cureton &c – Thos. Middleton is now passing through the Insolvent Court, Mrs M. having got into debt carrying on a Furniture shop – Seth Evans I never hear off at all. – Mr. Holland is at Caledonia Diggings about 25 miles from Melbourne and is doing pretty fair. However there is no fortune made nowadays as in the olden time –

I am still progressing a little but very slowly – my health has not been good lately, and I am thinking of having a trip home next February when my lease is out. If I do so I fully intend to sample the Tap at the Stanley Vaults, and also taste the Wedding Cake, if it is not all done – so please look out –

I know a Mr. Humphrey a Clerk and Traveller for Roodee Foundry in Chester, He was from Anglesea. He was a Plumber & Glazier &c when I left. Was he any relative of your good lady’s? If so I and he were most particular friends –

The Tender for Ballarat and Bendigo Railways were to have been let yesterday, but only the Bendigo one was let for three millions sterling or say net £3,356,937:2s:2d this ought to give things a stir – but business is very hard –

I have nothing particular to say further than to be very kindly rememberer & wishing you every prosperity –

I am My Dear Mr. Jones

Ever yours truly

Wm. Selkirk