heard from him twice since that. I expect him up before he goes perhaps today. Thank God the day of the Transit of Venus brought a copious fall of rain and did thousands of £ of good all round made perishing vegetation look life again and also cheered the spirits of man and beast. I hope your health is continuing quite well and in as good spirits as when you left. I had a nice letter from McCathey in Canterbury inclosing lima beans, a very prolifict bean. The alfafa will have a good deal of seed on. The run has made it look beautiful. Kate is well. Yours forever Archibald John McLean