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4 Dec 57 Julius on board 'Indus' Mother Hyde Park Place ______________________________________________________________________________________________

Southampton. 4th Dec./57

12 a.m.

My dear Mother

I feel sure you will like to have a few lines to say that I have arrived here & have got everything on board & settled. I myself go in the course of an hour.

We sail directly the mail arrives – you will not hear from me again until we get to Gibraltar which we take under a week in reaching.

I find my cabin is a sort of Hut on deck. It seems very comfortable, but when both of us get in with our furniture, there will not be too much room.

Before I leave, I must not forget to thank my Father & to apprise him that I fully appreciate his kindness to me in regard to money matters. He has behaved most handsomely to me.

The Indus is a very fine ship & very nicely fitted up & I have no doubt we shall make a very good voyage.

Once more with many loves to all of you I must say good bye.

from yr. affect. son

J D Laurie

Following a posting to the School of Musketry, Hythe (1856/7) Julius had been appointed Instructor of Musketry in 34th Regiment on 21st April 1857