LETTER TWENTY-FOUR.
Sydney,
My Dear Sister,
On the 16th of last month I received your letter, dated November 17th, 1840, and I cannot tell you the happiness it afforded me to know that my mother was still living to hear from her undutiful son, for I can scarcely forgive myself for not having written sooner, though I then had but an ill account to write. I expected to hear of misery and affliction from what I am able to learn here of the state of things at home, and therefore was not surprised at my father being so unfortunate, but not less sorry. I have not received any newspapers, and I hope you will not be at the trouble to send any more unless you can send them by some safer means
96
