New Plymouth 30th Augst /52 My dear Mrs MacLean I cannot allow my son to leave us without a few lines from his "old mother" just to enable her to sing a little bit of his just praise. We were all truly delighted to see him once more in our domestic circle and only wish you had been able to accompany him as it would have afforded us no little pleasure to become personally acquainted with you. We must only hope that when he pays us his next visit the season will permit your undertaking the journey