Letter from Mrs. Wilson, to Donald McLean, dated 1st. August 1853. New Plymouth. 1st. August 1853. My dear Son, We are, as you may suppose, quite delighted at the prospect of seeing you once more in your old seat by our kitchen fire. A bed shall be ready for you to occupy, whenever it suits your convenience; and your old mother will feel most happy to make it up for you, and attend to all your little wants and comforts; and we are happy to learn that we shall have an opportunity of seeing our good Governor before he quits New Zealand; and truly do we regret that he intends leaving us so soon; but go or stay, he will ever be sure of our best wishes and prayers for his health and happiness. I wish I could have seen Lady Grey once more. I sincerely regret she does not enjoy the good health we wish her. No doubt you will have heard of all the shame-ful doings at our election. If not, you will hear enough of them on your arrival in this our town of New Plymouth. Poor little place, she is not likely to get on under her present state of things. Just fancy an at the head with Hulke, Gledhill, Wm. Bailey, and such like, as Council We poor "" are all to be considered nothings. But I rather suspect they will find that we have nailed our colors to the mast; and it will not be an easy task to make us strike. The "True Blue" ladies made a grand show on the Nomination day; notwithstanding the rain, we managed to muster as many as 36. But I must add that on Brown's side, there are but ; so they could make no display; and as to that shameless man Wicksteed, neither ladies nor gentlemen could be for him. You will hear enough of his conduct; but may be, not more than you already knew of him. He is a disgrace to any community. Both Don Pedro and I are very much indebted to you for making us acquainted with your friend, Dr. Madden. We are only sorry that his stay was so short. He landed on Wednesday evening; and sailed on the following Saturday. He remembered your instructions about his microscope. Consequently we have to thank you for affording us a great treat. Nothing could exceed the Doctor's kindness and patience in showing it, and explaining it to us. I got all the young girls that I could collect together; and they spent such an evening as will not be easily forgotten by them for years to come. I did this, thinking that as they were not likely to see such a thing again, it would be but right to let them see some of the wonders of the Almighty's power; and if this pleasing lesson is followed up by proper remarks by their teachers, much, very much, good must result from what they saw. The first money I have at my command, I most certainly will procure a similar valuable companion. An instrument of that nature must ever be a delightful companion at all times and seasons. Dr. Madden has left us his direction in England; so that it is likely we shall correspond with him. If we ar any of our friends wish to get a microscope by the same makers as his, we are to apply to him; and he will send it out. He is a very agreeable person in all ways; and knows several persons known to Don Pedro and myself. I only wish Pat had had an opportunity of seeing him. By the bye, talking of Pat, I must conclude this, as I must write him a few lines; and as I confidently expect to see you very soon, I shall keep all my sorrows, hopes, and fears, until we are having our social chat over the midnight fire, after all the business and bustle of the day is over. With an affectionate kiss to your dear little boy, ever believe me to be Your sincerely attached Mother, (Signed) H.A. Wilson. To;- Donald McLean.