THE SIMPLE LIFE.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20541, 16 February 1935, Page 15

THE SIMPLE LIFE.

A Romantic Cottage. (By BARBARA KERR.) Far from the noise and bustle of the city, yet easily accessible by bus or launch, a diminutive cottage clings to a steep headland which juts out to sea. Across the harbour one can see and hear the daily express as it follows the winding bays on its way to the north. Further back loom the mountains. “A little home with a great name* 1 describes the cottage, for it bears a name that actually belongs to a proud castle in the Western Highlands, but I?hat stern stronghold could never be more of a home than its tiny namesake which looks down on calmer waters and greener hills than those seen by the real castle. Years ago a certain ship was wrecked on the New Zealand coast. From its timbers was built this tiny cottage. Indoors it wears a decidedly nautical air which sets it apart jfrom the ordinary type of seaside cottage.

The ceilings of the two small rooms are actually part of the saloon ceiling. When one goes into the bedroom—or “ the cabin” as it is intimately called—one instantly feels the gentle rise and fall of the waves lifting the ship as it rides at anchor in the bay. One hears the gentle swish-ewish of the waves against the sides of the ship. There are four bunks, two on either side of the cabin separated by a space no wider than that in any of the inter-island passenger boats. A ladder from one of the wrecked steamer’s cabins is there for use when required, too, and the white-painted bracket shelves have raised borders to keep the knick-knacks from falling when the seas are rough. Only when one goes to the window is the illusion broken, for, between the cabin and the sea is a steep hillside •Tarden, whoso greatest pride is the flowering peach which, caressing the roof with her pink-laden branches, makes the swishing sound of waves. The Dweller Inside. What of the owner of this seaside cottage ? Well was she known throughout the length and breadth of the land as the principal of a large and popular boarding school for girls. But comparatively few—and favoured are they—know her as the housewife in her own little cottage. It was to give herself the opportunity for relaxation from the pressing duties and the constant claims on her time and. attention that she bought the cottage. There in the quietness, amid the glories of sea, sky and hills, where the peace of the faraway places abides, she could relax from the dignity of her office. There she could garden in her own little patch of hillside ground—where no professional gardener could interfere by saying: “Don’t plant this here, and you can’t do that!” She had no need to travel far in search of rest and recreation in holiday-time, for her own wee home was waiting to welcome her at all seasons. When she retired from school life this greatly loved lady principal went on a world tour to visit many of the places she already knew so we if through books. With her love of literature as a guide she found more than usual enjoyment in the jonrneyings. Nowadays her hobby is to devote an hour a week to a class of students in English literature, and their study is made more interesting by the vivid descriptions and personal reminiscences of the lecturer. Historical Furnishings. Every article in the cottage has its history. Many of her former pupils have travelled to various parts of the world and have sent gifts from overseas to their principal. A bronze doorknocker, which represents the everclieerful Micawber, welcomes the visitor at the front door. A plaster cast of the “ Old Curiosity Shop” was sent from London, and serves as a constant reminder of both Dickens and London. “ Dickens is London,” she says. Here is a circular brass plaque hanging in a prominent position in the tiny sittingroom. It depicts a swimmer diving into the water at the Olympic Games, and was brought back from Amsterdam by a gill who competed in the swimming section at Olympiad. “ I want you to keep it for yourself and not to leave it in the school,” said the giver very emphatically. “We bought this picture in Bruges, and that one Tri Paris; this postcard we bought in the National Gallery because wo had a copy of the picture here in the 'Castle.’ This is from Edinburgh, and that from a little village near Kil larney.” Our visit to the - Castle” was felt to be a. privilege. We could not fail to he impressed once again by the personality of this lady of culture and charm, whose nobility of soul finds its chief jov in giving happiness to others. The* district nur.se finds in her a sincere friend, and everyone who meets her feels the better for the chance encounter. In the simple life beside the sea with books and neighbours for company and friends, the retired school-mistress finds the days are full of interest and her great wish for others is that she may ' o ‘‘iiabled to share with them her own —------