Ma chere frere Was so glad to get yours this morning. Hear others were also as they did not hear at all by the previous mail. The passengers by the 'Rangitane' gave out that the ministry were all but out. No one was alarmed as the feeling here is so rooted that the present ministry cannot be overthrown. Kate tells me she never knew you to speak so ably & with such perfect ease. Kennedy also says you are looking so well, seldom has seen you so jolly and so almost overwhelmingly busy. He enjoyed his trip. It must be a great relief to have got over so important a question as the native defence especially as the south are so allied to Stafford and his vague theory of self-reliance. One really does see a great change for the better in everything. The policy now adopted is not a scheming haphazard experiment but a sound practical reality, easily made applicable in peace or war. Alick is here as he tells me hunting up old debts. Poor fellow I think he feels the position he is in dreadfully. It may do him good but at present he feels as if he were set aside. It distresses me to see him so heavy at heart. Cannot get him even to smile. Will you write him and tell Kate to do the same. Do not think that John has done him any good. Mean fellow he ought to have kept him longer with him. Am so angry with [crossed out] at him that I can hardly repress my indignation. Smith has gone to live with Dr Russell. Do not know what lucky or unlucky omen hovers about me. Am always in the midst of royality and had (the severest ... of the great ..... passed over me the other night). Hope you are not too tired to smile at such nonsense. In haste Yrs Annabella McLean Napier, Saturday evening August 7th