Inglewood,
Punt Road, South Yarra,
6th May, 1890.
My Dear Miss Parkes,
You asked me to send you some reminiscences of your father's youth. I am afraid you will be disappointed, as the incidents occurring in what may be called the 'seed-time' of his life, which had any relevancy to the prominent characteristics of his manhood, were but few and uninteresting.
Doubtless your father has told you that he was apprenticed to a Mr. John Holding, who is described in the Birmingham Directory of 1830 as a bone and ivory turner of Moseley-street. I may say that your father had great aptitude for his business, and gave much satisfaction to his employer. During his apprenticeship your father was somewhat reserved in his demeanour, had
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