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7 Sep 55 Peter on board 'Alipore' Mother ______________________________________________________________________________________________

Sept 7th 1855 On Board

the Alipore – Kamiesh

My dear Mother

As you can see I am now on board the ‘Alipore’ expecting my luggage round tomorrow by steamer – but what steamer I do not know – but somehow intend to find it.

John has been on board & dined with the Captain & has bought an immense quantity of stores for himself & Julie. On the whole I think he has to thank me (or rather my coming out here) for a quantity of things & only hope he appreciates it. I have not seen Julius himself lately – the last time was shortly after he had been slightly wounded which by the bye was very slightly indeed & scarcely worth mentioning inasmuch as there was scarcely anything to be seen. Still, I suppose he was mentioned which is very pleasant in its way.

John tho’ the larger target of the two has, in his 7 months service, not yet been touched which is also very pleasant in its way.

As to the Alipore, I cannot exactly say I have very pleasant quarters for of all Mr Lindsay’s ships out here I would rather be on board any other than this – that is to say I merely mean this: the ship having been out a year & twice as long as any other ship, wants repairing and doing up in which greatly adds to the comforts – not that she is a worse ship or that her officers are not what I like. On the contrary, she is a good ship, I believe as good as any Mr L has, & her officers are very sociable & the Captain seems a very good sort of fellow tho’ I have heard reports anything but favourable.

I offended the Captain of the Dinapore dreadfully. On the Tynemouth it was generally reported that he was a Mormon with half a dozen wives &c. &c. &c. & his personal appearance is of all things likely to give credit to such an assertion. He has long half black, half grey hair hanging down his back with beard &c. &c. very tall and altogether he certainly is rather (to say the least of it) curious looking.

Instead of having six wives it so happens he is a bachelor & rather a marked one. Before each meal he appears half an hour previously on deck & walks up and down & all the rest of the day he is hidden in his cabin which is very comfortable.

I of course cannot tell whether the Alipore will come home but I hope she will. The Captain I believe has written Mr L to say that she ought to come home for repairs & perhaps he will send the letters to the Admiralty with a request that she may & will consequently be able to let you know whether she will or not.

If she is to stop I must request you to send me some warm clothes &c. &c. & let them be good – no more of Besemere’s make for me – Maltby* knows my measure & he is the best man.

A good peajacket or whatever it is called & the rest you can guess. Everything in every way that is warm.

Good bye – Love to all &c. &c.

from your affect son

Peter Laurie

Ernest has gone to Scutari, but you must not imagine that it is the same malady that made you all so unhappy some time since, for that was only imaginary on your part, derived from a few words of John which you misinterpreted.

As to his present illness, whether he is very bad or not I do not know but I believe he is determined to get home which is a very sensible thing on his part no doubt.

PL

* Maltby – James Maltby, tailor, trading from 8 Hanover Place, Regents Park, London