My dear Tom

Just a line to wish you very many happy returns of your birthday, although I am afraid this will be a day or two late in reaching you.

It is fine to think of your taking a step ahead every year, last year getting your start in Hamilton, and this year the examinership.

I was much interested in your letter to Mama telling about the offer for the Arcade. It must certainly be a valuable piece of property, and will help considerably in keeping the family out of the poorhouse in their old age, provided the Unc does not take a notion to [divert/divest??] it.

I am glad to hear that you find Taverings' such a satisfactory place to feed. It is hard to return to boarding house atrocities after being used to home comforts. You will miss the family a good deal, I am sure; but it will be some compensation to be able to smoke at large all over the place.

They have got the greater part of my land broken now, and will finish it this week I expect. The land looks even better than I expected when it is turned up; and with the growing appreciation of the advantages of this light land, I think I should have no difficulty in getting $4000 for it within two or three years. The crops among here are looking very well so far, though in other parts not far off I believe the drought has been rather disastrous.

Am glad to hear that the Mater of finding things tolerably comfortable in the cottage. I fancy we are in for a hot summer, which will suit her up there.

With all sorts of good wishes,
Your off brother,
Calvin