Alma May 31st 1855
Dear Friend.
I have at last made up my mind to write you a few lines and I can assure you it is with a great deal of pleasure as, I thought but the other day that I never should have it in my power to do or ever see you again. I have had the Colonial fever and a bowel complaint that carried off several of my ship mates and many others that I know but thanks to the Almighty, I am almost well again. I thought I should get a little money and come home, I never thought the one that gave it me could take it away I thought if I did not spend it I was alright, but in came 3 Dockers and they soon made the nuggets fly. I had one 21oz that I thought I should bring to England but thank God I had it to pay as there is no friends here, everyone for his self and the biggest rogue - the best man, that is the principle that the colony is carried on, by most people rich and poor. I am happy to say I have never wanted for anything since I have been in the colony, although I have seen more in want than ever I have in England. I have many times thought of you staying in England, I would rather live in England with one meal a day, than here with all the best in the world as there is no comfort to be had here day or night, for by day you are poisoned by dust and flies and by night perhaps nearly blown out of your bed, if it may be so called. Although I have got a feather bed, I cannot sleep. There is no society for anyone, no one to speak to except a few tranceports, that is the leaving men of the colony, such as old Chilcott. He is a very good ----ment of the colony in every respect, so you can judge what sort of society it is here, for one and all of those get drunk every day. I cannot describe the women to you better than, you know what Mrs. Chisalm sent out here. They have been brought up on the diggings and made to keep a sly grog shop and you know what they will do when they have access to the bottle. Get drunk altogether and many of the poor things have their grave dug before they left England. I should not advise anyone to come out here, although I do not wish to keep them away but I am sure there is nothing to be obtained here but at the risk of your life and hard work and no comfort. You would be surprised perhaps if I say I work 60 or 70 feet underground and have got to sink the hole first. I can assure you that it is the case, one sometimes would sink 10 or a dozen of these and not see gold. I have got a hundred pounds and obliged to spend it nearly all before I could get any more, so you see its not all profit. The hole is sunk like a well on, a chain of 24 feet square. You must not have any more than that at any one time but you can sink as many as you want. Where you have sunk one of these holes you try 3 or 4 inches of dirt at the bottom, it is put into a tub and washed so as to wash off the dirt and leave the gravel in the bottom and from thence into a tin dish and divide the gold from the gravel, if there be any. If not you must wash it so before you can tell. So you see what work it is to get gold. I have sunk 10 or 15 before I have seen it and perhaps many around me getting it. I am thinking I shall send you and your dear wife a small nugget, so as you can say you have got some, as I may never have it in my power to bring it personally. If so I have to be more pleased to do so in a larger quantity wont if not to be a pleasure to me once more to see my friends in England all well, which I hope very much is the case now. God grant I may be alive to see you all again soon. You please give my kind regards to all friends. I hope all the Dear Children are well and happy as that is much better than wealth. ---- I hope you will write to me, as you can tell me of old friends around, which I should like to hear. I cannot tell you anything of anyone you would like to hear a word about.
--- You will please direct to Newton Brothers General Store, Prahran, near Melbourne that will find me, if please God. I hope you will get this scrawl as you will be amused with it and excuse it, as you must know we have no table to write upon, ground for the floor and 100 miles to post. So you see it is no joke to write! You must please accept all the blessings and good wishes the world can afford, not forgetting your dear wife, from yours truly
P. H. Brain.