Letter from P. Wilson to Donald McLean Esq. dated 20th. September 1857. Henui 20th. September 1857 My dear Mac., Are you really the descendant of Irish Kings; the nephew of Sir Historian Allison; and moreover the omnipotent royal head of New Zealand? I don't believe you are any of the three, but hope you have philosophy enough in you to contemn such trashy allegations; and I am glad to see that only our cockney-conducted newspaper, the has the bad manners to copy the stuff into its columns. Had they alleged that you and old Moses are the worst correspondents that ever dipt strongly in the ink, I should have gone hand in hand with the vituperators, and have contributed a leader of two columns to make clear the calumny. And having said this much, may I ask you if you ever received from me, i.e. within the last three months, a rather longish letter, addressed to the care of Mr. Strang, at Wellington, having about the time heard that you were about to visit that feather-weight conceited metropolis? And if you did, (which I doubt not), why in the name of common correspondential punctuality, you have not thought proper in your various notes to your mother, which always put me in mind of "Short and Easy Lessons for Beginners", acknowledged the receipt of it? Now let me tell you that I have at this moment, and almost at my fingers' ends, a half a volume of right important news to communicate to you; but refrain therefrom on the simple score that I entertain strong doubts as to whether you have the talent of appreciation for such gifts. Therefore I do refrain, till we have that long-promised long letter from you, when I may relax and take in hand, on various topics, to enlighten you. As to our Superintendent, all I can say is that he is verifying I ever expected from him; or, in other words, he is like Willy Wastle's wife, - "I wadna gie a button for her." But he will live out his term, I dare say, and he would be a precious brain-less fool who could not; for the office, as he is made to handle it, is a sinecure. Now, my boy, study all this, and you will be a wiser man than you were yesterday. Kind regards to the Governor and the two Secretaries; and I remain, my dear Mac, very faithfully yours (Signed) P. Wilson. (see Post script next page.) (to foregoing letter.) Our Institute still exists, but that is about all. The labouring classes prefer a crack over a glass of grog; and our learned patriots shrink from all exertion in its behalf; so that the burden falls on a few of the Committee; and we have, for our weekly audience, some thirty or forty females, chiefly young 'uns. I shall persevere, however, till the year is up, when I shall have done with it. I have paid your subscription for the year, viz, - P.W.