MAGDALA TO BUSHVILLE.

Waipawa Mail, Volume 2, Issue 116, 22 October 1879, Page 2

MAGDALA TO BUSHVILLE.

(from a correspondent.) Tho week was one in the early spring when an unenthusiastic friend, whom I will call from his eminently unclassical appearance “ Archididasculus,” entered with felino tread the sacred precincts of my sanctum, and with that purring and insinuating influence which is characteristic of the species, seduced “ mures domestic! ” from its retreat to join him in an expedition, the termination of which should be “ Bushville” (and he sang

with a voice that would pass muster even at the examination or a candidate for schoolmaster’s certificate, “ Como to tho woods with me”). My friend Archididasculus (this familiar t "'o , being rather high sounding, I frequently use it, although not stuj often as I shall use the pronoun which represents myself. Though not egotistical, I have a very exalted opinion of my descriptive powers, as others have lately had before me). Archididasculus exhibited symptoms of mental aberration in the herb line, and would have picked up stray-speci-mens but that he considered grasses and ordinary green stuffs to common to be conducive to the enlargement of his limited knowledge. Had there been a railway conveyance to Bushville, which there was not, wo should have travelled that way, but as the iron horse did not pass Kopna, we madeup our minds to take tho four-footed thing (woe is me for tho dire necessity anent which I could a. tale not unfold)’. The idea at tho outset I did not much entertain, as I hardly knew a horsd from an ass (this intuitively), hnd felt certain I should make an exhibition of myself, which I did. AVe looked at the fields and land from the eazr windows, and of course we could form a very correct opinion as to the nature of tho soil and the slieep-growing capabilities (1 could always judge of these things when travelling express at GO miles an hour), and as a result of our combined wisdom, we arrived-at tlie opinion, which must be taken as a general one, that we didn’t know much about it. One interesting fact we ascertained was that a portion of land changed hands from an enterprising gentlemen at 25 per cent, profit, which shows at what a nice little price the small farmer can buy from the speculator. Bushville (this name is of course fictitious, and was suggested to me by Archididasculus), being brought prominently before the public by your correspondent, will no doubt become a place of great importance, and my visit with Arehidilasculus will be chronicled among: the events of the year. The water supply in Waipukurau is in the womb of futurity, but may possibly become a fact by the year 15»32, as according,; to a late prophet, the world is likely to terminate about that period, and a good water supply would then be invaluable. I might make some remarks upon the sites chosen by the settlers for their residences, but as it is highly improbable that I may ever bo invited to visit them by their owners, I think criticism import amt At Kopua where the best of feeds are ready in anticipation of travellers,, we took in an immense amount of provender, thinkings as -we

starting early on the morrow," v> might save the expense of breakfasts The young Abigail who attended upon us was cheerful, aud I should havo liked hep muchly but tliat I overlieardl her opinion ol: our general appearance, which might be truthful, but wasuncomplimentary. Pure and unadulterated funk kept ns from going further that night, the heavens being obscured by a pall of black. (I can’t carry the poetical farther, and Archididasculus being awfully practical couldn’t help me.)

A s I have said, tho hobby of Archididasculus is botany ; my pet weakness in entomology, and I generally for safety carry my specimens about my person ; I feel that they live, and am happy. Theso specimens are of an interesting and varied nature, and I value them highly. On retiring to» bed after a few tots, and smoking tho calumet, carefully ignoring spittoon* as a useless invention when one lias a nice carpet to spit on, I thought with pleasure upon the midnight meal my favorites were about to enjoy.. Getting into comfortable dean sheets, my little friends began to get uneasy at their unusual treatment, and attacked with a vigour hitherto unknown to mo, and made “ night hideous.” In revenge, and at a great sacrifice, I determined to leave them as a legacy to the proprietor of the Kopua Hotel, and in consideration of his kindness in adopting my friendless specimens, I paid him a very reasonable price for my .comfortable bed. .1 n the morning, hunger prevailed against economy, ami we did breakfast, after which we made ast art. My horse was a very average beast. I havo a faint impression that if we had looked within a mile of good riders, we should havo been trusted with more spirited animals. Grateful are we for tlie kindness and perspicacity which suggested to tho landlord the providing us with animals of a meek disposition. Having munificently rewarded the hostler with a small coin, I will in another letter tell you of our further, journey, which, after tho dull monotony of this one, I don’t suppose any one will read. FAR NOBILE FRATRUM.