The Archer Letters – Letter Thirty-Three
The last letter in this series was dictated by Fr Julian Tenison Woods on 13 March 1889. It reads as if maybe he knew it would probably be his last effort to his dear friend, William Archer. The tone of the letter is one of resignation to his state of health with little hope of […]
The Archer Letters – Letter Thirty-Two
View Letter 32 (undated):
The Archer Letters – Letter Thirty-One
This short letter, written on 22 March 1888 from Fr Julian Tenison Woods in Sydney to William Archer in Melbourne is not written in his own handwriting. Anne Bulger has penned his words, although Fr Julian does attach his own signature and love and blessings to Mrs Archer and Gracie.
The Archer Letters – Letter Thirty
Fr Julian Tenison Woods’ letter to William Archer on 3 January 1888 from his home in Elizabeth Street, Sydney, was probably not penned by himself. However, he did add his own signature. The reason for not writing himself was a serious deterioration in his health, leaving him an invalid unable to use his hands and […]
The Archer Letters – Letter Twenty-Eight
This letter was written from the mountains behind Osaka in Japan. Fr Julian had retreated here to indulge his love of botany, geology and solitude. He seemed to be quite intrigued with Japan, its houses and people and was only too happy to be confined here longer than he expected due to a cholera epidemic […]
The Archer Letters – Letter Twenty-Seven
Wherever Fr Julian went he found people who had connections to Australia. In this letter he mentions that he was staying with Sir George Bowen, a former Governor of Victoria (1872-1879). It seems Fr Julian was not too charmed by Sir George because of the introduction he had given to his lecture on mines and […]
The Archer Letters – Letter Twenty-Six
View Letter 26 written from Thaiping on 17 September 1884:
The Archer Letters – Letter Twenty-Five
Fr Julian is now some months into his travels in Asia. It seems that his health had been good from August 1853 until the beginning of January 1884, despite the fact that he had endured uncomfortable boat trips and others around him succumbing to jungle fever. However, he did get fever in due course and […]
The Archer Letters – Letter Twenty-Four
In his letter of 18 October 1883, we find that Fr Julian Tenison Woods is now in Singapore, having left Brisbane three months before. He relates wonderful new experiences, including witnessing volcanic activity and declares “I shall never forget my journey!” He was, of course, a guest of the Governor, Sir Frederick Weld, a friend […]
The Archer Letters – Letter Twenty-Three
View Letter 23 written from Bathurst on 21 January 1879:
The Archer Letters – Letter Twenty-Two
This letter tells the reader much about the place of science in the life of Fr Julian. He loves all things scientific but he is always a priest first, attending to his many ecclesiastical duties before spending time pursuing scientific interests – writing papers, visiting museums or taking notes while rambling. At this time Fr […]
The Archer Letters – Letter Twenty-One
There has been a delay in Fr Julian receiving Sir William Archer’s letters due mainly to confusion over the address at which Fr Julian’s mail is held while he is absent from Sydney giving missions in remote parish areas. It is interesting to note Fr Julian’s membership of two clubs in Sydney, the Union Club […]