My dear Douglas I slept last night at Mr Cooper's, a very comfortable reception and all I regretted was that my little pussy was not with me. Mr Cooper wishes you to come there to spend a few days and I think if Papa will accompany us that we may pay him a visit if you have no objections. I am as you are aware extremely anxious about you. Do like a good pet muster up all your resolution and courage, avoid these disagreeable fits, be careful of your diet, take a cup of tea and some bread at 1/2 past 5 in the morning, then go to bathe with the Pauls and do not keep Papa waiting too long for breakfast, avoid taking much fruit, in fact you must be very careful until I get you to work as a dairy maid, then I am sure you will be quite as healthy as I am. I feel as if the Porirua air possesses some magical qualities for I feel quite different already from what I have been in Wellington. Certainly change must be good for every constitution but I fancy that the change to the cottage will be enough for you till I come back. Gordon and Dr Robinson have ordered a turkey to be killed for me and they declare they will no allow me to move from there today. I must remain to eat my share of the turkey and afterwards I will go on with Mr Cresswell who has left his wife quite disconsolate as my pussy and not in a very good state of health either so you see others have to feel quite as much as you do by such separations but I will soon have it in my power to devote more time to my own little pet. Although she is a plague at times I cannot conceal how fond I am of her. You may be thankful pussy to have such a good and kind Papa. Few are so well favored by Providence in that respect as you are, and I trust that you will not neglect to acknowledge the various blessings the Almighty bestows upon you. Without His aid what are we my dearest pussy but perishable mortals liable every moment of our lives to be called into eternity. Let us then study to imitate the mild, the reconciled and the delightful Christian spirit that poor Mama so pleasingly exhibited on her bed of death. We may not have the same warning but we have had from that sorrowful event due notice given to us that we should at all times be prepared to follow to that happy world where earthly sorrows are at end. I must now close. May Heaven protect you and may every blessing attend you is the constant prayer of your own very afft Donald McLean Porirua Barracks 14 Jany 1852