Sub-series MS 102/12/26 - Bundle of miscellaneous correspondence

Correspondence: 1887. Miscellaneous topics pertaining to engineering and business matters together with current, general and family affairs. Correspondents and contents include: Rev. Finlay. R. Macdonald, the Manse, Coupar, Angus (thanks PC for contributing to funds [for poor]); E. Fantachiotti (thanks PC for Christmas card and says he is in Devon to work for ‘Sir B. Sammuelson’ [almost certainly Sir Bernhard Samuelsson, first baronet]); Jas Logie, National Bank Buildings, 67 Reform Street, Dundee (letter accompanying plans of additions to old Watt Institution and other works - draft reply from PC approving of plans and his decision not to name a sum for his subscription at present; thanks PC for his letter); Andrew Reekie, Dundee (Asks for job – notation that PC sent 5s); James Scrymgeour, Prison Aid Society, 18 Meadowside, Dundee (requesting annual subscription – PC notes he sent £1); Alexander Innes (requesting reference, included PC’s draft and letter from Innes sincerely thanking PC); Mrs Kydd, Dundee Convalescent Home (informs PC of cost of ‘our entertainment’ £10 8S 10D – PC notes he sent check for £10 10S) George Lyell (PC’s Nephew), Calcutta (originally sent September 1886, put not replied to until January 1887 - thanks PC for wedding gift and discusses economic policy in connection with Indian goods and financial arrangement he has with PC - PC’s draft reply enclosed; letter from Lyell sent January 1887 [before PC’s previous reply received] enclosing £60 and giving him news); James Hope, Belmont, Murrayfield, Mid-Lothian (in connection with funds for St Michael’s church North Merchiston, enclosing list of subsrcibers – PC declined to contribute [further]) D Brand, London Missionary Society (request subscription; acknowledges receipt of £10 sub and notes this is again reduced); James C. Lyell, Monifieth House, Forfarshire (Has sent PC a curtain, possibly from Inida, in thanks for his help last August, includes draft reply from PC thanking him); John Stewart (PC’s nephew), Edinburgh (relates to South Australian Mortgage and mentions an [art] completion at the ‘Academy’); A. R. Arthur, Edinburgh (applies for position of Gardiner at Arthurstone) Reverend W. J. Cox*, 10 Airlie Place, Dundee (requests subscription for widows fund; thanks PC for subscription); W. S. Carmichael, Ailly Sur Somme [PC’s nephew] (still not well, but getting better, partnership lapses this year and comments on PC’s plan to give money to farmers to grow flax as a crop; thanks PC for his kindness while he was staying at Arthurstone describes, channel steamers and gives account of weighing himself at Perth Station); Provost Ballingall, Albert Square, Dundee and Town Hall, Dundee (Construction of Victoria Galleries at Albert institute to hold annual art exhibition and mark Queen’s Jubilee. Draft reply indicating PC declined to contribute. Also includes details of subscribers and costs; Contacting PC again owing to promise made to Lord Lieutenant and asking him to subscribe £50 to Imperial Institute, copy reply from PC declining); James Fleming, Manse of Kettins (Sending PC children’s books formerly belonging to his Fleming’s son that deal with animals and kindness) Rev P. C. Stewart [PC’s nephew], Ladybank (asks advice on accompanying James [Stewart] on trip to Italy with follow up later and copy of PC’s reply); Miss Frances Crombie, Charlotte Street [Edinburgh?], (Relates to Mrs Edwards and her family whom she took pound to at PCs behest. All are in poor health and she fears Mrs Edwards’ son David may be dead as he was last heard of with fever in hospital in Queensland); John Law, Ardler Church Classroom, (thanks PC for 45 books); Mr Wm Gillespie, Caledonian Railway Company (Gates ant level-crossing at Ardler, includes two copy replies from PC; requests PC intervene with two farmers in relations to notice sent via gates – copy reply from PC declining); James Brebner**, Harris Academy, Dundee (Invites PC to view his Art Room and Chemical Laboratory); Robert S. Carmichael, Paris and Ailly Sur Somme and Grand Hotel, Trafalgar Square, [PC’s nephew] (Alice proposes sending Stewart, who is now almost 12, to school and asks his uncle for advice, draft reply from PC who recommends sending him to a public school rather than as a day student to a school near the parental home ;has returned from Algeria and seen last letter PC sent to William and thanks PC for helping; school fees with copy reply from PC; Has decided to send son to Charles [Wanton’s?] School at [C?]onbridge)- PC replies promising to pay £100 a year as Stewart’s Guardian; sends details of fees; discusses payment of fees for Steart’s schooling); R D B Ritchie***, Dundee and District United Trades Council, (Proposal to arrange an industrial exhibition to replace Dundee Fine Art Committees Art Exhibition which was not taking place that year. Asks PC for patronage PC copy reply indicates he gave £5, but declined to have his name listed as a patron); George Wighton, 31 Charlotte Place, Pitt Street, Redfern, Sydney, NSW, Australia (Thanks PC for copy of Memorials of J Drummond Carmichael and sends him copy of Sydney newspaper); Robert Grant, 48 St Nicholas Street &Flourmill Brae, Aberdeen (responds to PC on price of Tea – PC has noted “no Answer – to (sic) impudent”); James Spence, 28 Hawthorn Street, Newcastle-on-Tyne (Is sending PC a copy of newspaper article from N. C. weekly Chronicle in defence of James Naismyth. Explainms three months earlier anonymopus letter had attributed invention of steam hammer to a Mr Wilson rather than Naismyth, to which Spence had objected);John Lamber, Baltic Buildings, Dundee (relates to subscription [for Church?]); Reverend Thomas M Pirie, Knockando, Craigellachie (Thanks PC for his donation for the poor of his parish); Lady Kinloch, Meigle House, Meigle (concerns present of a gold ring); M H Baxter, 1 Graham Place, Dundee (details case of Mary Buist, who formerly worked at Dens Works, but has been bedridden for six years); Dundee Mission to the Out-Door Blind (asks for subscription and includes extract from previous year’s report); Robert Little, 11 Shandwick Place, Edinburgh (wants to send one of his pictures which PC owns to exhibition in Glasgow. Draft reply shows PC’s agreement); James T. T. Ramsay, Gt Bolton Street, Blackburn, Lancashire (apologies for not writing. Has left post in Edinburgh due to ill health and now in general practice, acting as a locum for Dr Chisholm who is suffering from consumption. He hopes to take over practice, but most of patients are Roman Catholic and want a Catholic doctor; gives details of his health and work as a doctor, hope to take more examinations at Edinburgh); [W?] Gillespie, District Superintendent’s Office, Caledonian Railway Company, Perth (Writes in response to PC’s complaints about Newtyle line and outlines measures he has taken to ensure trains run to time); Reverend John Masson, Dundee (has entered his 82nd year, but still in good health). (72 items).

* Minister of Panmure Street Congregational Church, Dundee which had strong links to the Baxter family [of Dens Works]. Also Secretary of the Dundee District Auxiliary to the London Missionary Society
** Founding Rector of Harris Academy
*** First Labour Councillor in Dundee