a guinea for seat rent in church and various other little demands which are indispensable in town. Of everything I have this year begun to keep an account which is an excellent plan and also keep a diary of the transactions of the day. Is that not an hour passes but what I task myself to give account of. I would send you one of my essays but as you are so soon to be home I shall have them all ready for your inspection then but fear they will scarce reward you for your trouble. I have so much writing to do in the way of exercises that at present it is spoiling my hand of writing but when finished I will practise a more stylish and ladylike hand. Indeed if you knew all I have to do you would pity me. I am getting on well with everything but my muscique but it is a study of one's lifetime and cannot be overcome within a limited period. Catherine resides not far from school so thus I am with her tonight. They are very gay at present with company consequently she is much occupied and will not have time to write you by this mail. We are much grieved to hear that you also suffer from that tantalising rheumatism. Poor Catherine suffers severely from it. Change of climate is considered wise in these cases. We hope that Archy's wife will be in New Zealand before you leave as she will be a great check upon that [numerous?] masculine vanity you have up at the McLean station.