Maraekakaho Sepr 19th My dear Donald I am just in receipt of yr kind letter and I am astonished to find that you have not got my last letter which was sent with Archy's last. We are also greived to find that you have not received the box which we sent to you with eggs, hams and candels. The dray man was at the Spit before Alexander sailed & it is too provoking if the box is has been [crossed out] left behind as all the things will spoil. In my last letter I asked you to allow Douglas to come here with his uncle & I hope that you will agree to it. Archy has made a small flower garden in front of the house which is a great improvement. Poor fellow he does not eat the bread of idleness for he is always at work. I am so proud to hear that you are going to send me a nice horse for I am fond of riding. It is kind of you dear Donald to be so mindful of me & I do feel grateful to you for it but in the meantime I am very well provided for & I do not wish to trouble you but as little as I can. If you will only promise me to see to my dearest Annabella as you know she has always been a care to me & now that I am away I know that no one will take the interest in her that I did. It is just like Alex to tell you that I am good at keeping him in order. Indeed I am not at all good at it. How has he required it for he has been exceedingly good since we met and I am exceedingly [crossed out] very much attached to him. I hope that he shall soon be home and my little nephew with him. You ask if I injoyed my visit to Canterbury and to be candid with you I did not but I daresay that I went at a very unfavourable time. There was too many friends & I make no doubt but they are there yet. I injoyed my visit to old Mrs McLean very much. Poor old body she ammused me with many delightful stories which she can tell to all. I fear that my epistals will afford you but little pleasure but as you wish it I shall make a point of writing to you more frequently. Pleas send me some more nice book to read. I do wish that you would try and come down to see us. I long very much to have a look at you although I have got a thing that thought like you on the wall at which I often gase & wish that the reial [real] man would walk in. A great many people say that I am very like you. With my love to Douglas, Alexander & yourself. I am my dear D your attached sister [crossed out] sister Catherine Maclean