you. I had a long letter from Mrs Shand a fortnight ago. She likes Otago very much. She says that the weather there has been like what we have in the month of October in Wellington but without the high winds. The only thing which finds disagreeable is the situation of her house. When Mr Shand went to Otago he found that Mr Macarthy's house was too small for their family so he was obliged to take one on the opposite side of the river. Mrs Shand says that this is most unpleasant as it is some times very rough and it takes an hour to go across to the Customhouse. Mrs Shand desires me to give you her kind regards and say that your letter was delivered in safety. In your last letter you say that you admire the conduct of a Prince when before his tribunal. I suppose you allude to Irgranus, son of the king of Armenia, who with his wife was taken prisoner by Cyrus. He was asked by Cyrus what he would give for the ransom of his wife. He replied