RK-795

Ft Simpson Sunday night Nov 13th

My Dear Mother

I am twenty four years old tonight, Ill warrant you remember it too, and are thinking of me now while I write. But I fear that instead of thinking of me how fondly and happily as I do of you, you will be imaging all sorts of discomforts and hard ships for me. Indeed mother, as I have before told you, my own most sorrowful feelings are caused by knowing how badly you will feel at my protracted absence. But would I eventually render you more happy by going home sooner than I intend to? I believe not honestly! I'm sure you have maternal pride as well as love. Try to make that console you in some measure.

I repeat my earnest assurences that I am in no more danger here than I would be had I not come on this expedition Indeed the high probability is that I should have gone on some other expedition which would have been dangerous if it did not keep me as long from home - The swamps of Mississippi or southern Texas which would have been, pretty certainly, my destination either last or next summer are, for my constitution, infinately worse than the rough life in this wonderfully healthy region.

I don't deny that my fare is very poor and that I often undergo very consider-

able hardships. But while the interest of the thing more than counterbalances the personal discomfort, these bodily hardships do but strengthen me.

I am indeed a little frightened when I think how many years Ive lived to so little purpose. But am I not just now in the very best road to repair the injury done by my former laziness? I cannot but consider Providence peculiarly kind to me in granting me such brilliant prospecs! For former waste of time I'm only myself to blame, and myself being a pretty charitable fellow I really to be charitalbe ought not to blame to much myself even. Supposing I had made myself rich, no fear then that I would ever have obtained such fine opportunities for doing good work as I have now. I could not have come on this expedition with $50,000. of my own money! And I'm not too modest to suppose that my journey and its results may yet be spoken of with that of Sir John Richardsons.

No no my dear mother you ought not to regret my situation, however much your love for me may make you sorrow at my absence. I know you'll often feel very badly during my absence and it gives me the heartache if I permit myself to think at any time of it in its honest[?] light. But I send my thoughts on beyond my stay here to my arrival at Home and that is a never failing pleasant subject for meditation. How I dream of

going home! I shall disguise myself so that none will know me unless it be yourself. For how would they recog -nize in a big bronzed bearded fellow like Ill be, the homy[?] chap that left home last spring?

I must again anticipate some of your fears respecting the result on me of my life here - In the first place far from feeling less affection for you all on my return, I shall love each and all more warmly. Here Ill form no new ties; unless I find in Lockhart perhaps a more congenial friend spirit I shall not have a single intimate friend here that is one to whom I'd be confidential or care to express my feelings Dont imagine because I've spoken of liquor as a great desideration that there is the faintest possibility of my even learning to drink too much here. As for using tobacco what would kill one outright in the south has no bad effect whatever here, so dont think Ill injure myself in that way either. In some respects Im improving my manners you'll see and I don't bluster at all! I defy any one to get me out of temper by any fair means! I've been most troubled by my laziness but that Ill learn to break up yet. I'm going to begin my notes on the country the day after Mr Packet[?] Leaves.

The Grove

November 30th

I've waited to have the last word to you Mama mia. The packet closes in two or three hours.

Temperature 35[degrees] below zero too this moring and the sun now rises after 9.o.c. Am and sets before 3 P.m. We'll soon ahve the sun up less than four hours per day. Fine long evenings for writing! Tomorrow I shall commense a systimatic course of work. Write a short time, unless I'm going for a long martin hunt, in the morning - Go out for a tramp - trapping mice shooting small birds if I find any snaring rabbits etc. Till dinner at 3 1/2 or 4 p.m. Then write and study French or Chepewayan or read a while and afterward Ill have to play whist several hours as I cant reprove[?] to do this or Mr Ross would bother me so that I couldn't write. I shall have precious few specimens to skin I fear.

Please dont let Emma think I meant to neglect her that Ive not written. I've been unable to write several quite important leters - and [illegible] send Charlie a note - dericted to Sandoval. Please send him copies of same [illegible] letters instantly if possible. I hope to learn that Charlie and the Boyden are man and wife when I get the packet in March. I suppose Ill have a brother in law too by the time I get home. Wonder when small girl Cora will begin to get "bouled"[?]

3 Mother

"fooled" I trust she will imitate the good example of her brother Bob at least not think of getting married until she is of a respectable age! I demand that she make me her confidante in any matter of this kind.

I think Ive mentioned all my special desiderata in my list sent with this. I shall want perhaps one or two more butterfly catchers than I have with me now.

For clothes Ill do well enough I dont wear fine shirts at all. and seldom any but flannel - I can get coarse flannel here too if I dont have enough of them sent.

Of course I have a fire in my bedroom which is lighted in the morning before I get up and I keep it up all night shouldn't be very cold so don't imagine Ill freeze in my bed. I have plenty of blankets - sheets of course are below par here in winter.

Expect longer letters from me or at least more careful and conenent[?] ones than I now write.

Be satisfied I'm not unhappy