CHILDREN’S CORRESPONDENCE COLUMN.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume X, Issue 24, 17 June 1893, Page 575

CHILDREN’S CORRESPONDENCE COLUMN.

" Dear Cousin Kate. —I always read the cousins’ letters. Will you tell me if you mind how many of us write? Mother says only one of us had better write to-day. There are such a number of us—ten—and we are all at home, at least in the evenings. The boys go to school, which is such a comfort. Boys are so noisy. My brothers tease dreadfully ; they hide my scissors and my cotton and everything. If I only once hide a book of theirs they plague me for a week after, so I am just quiet. But when I mend their socks I make them as hard as possible on the soles ! One must do something to get even, you know. I hope my letter is not too long. My brother Billy (his real name is Theobald) wants to know what lam saying to you. He heard me ask mother if I might write.—Your affectionate cousin, Hilda.

[I think boys do tease sometimes, Hilda. But you know the house would be very dull without them. I know I used to miss my brother very much when he was away from home. Remember every sister has some influence over her brothers. Try and use yours to soften and refine the boys and make home pleasant to them. —Cousin Kate.]

Dear Cousin Kate. —Mamma said-1 could write to you. My cousin Milly is writing. There are nine children in our family. My eldest sister, Minnie, is married, and my brother John is away in India. I have a twin brother ; his name is Edward ; he does not like writing. We have four ponies between seven children. Papa was going to get us a pet monkey, but mamma does not like them. I have got two pigeons ; my cousin Milly gave them to me. lam going to give one to Edward. Milly has got a little pony called Snowflake. I ride it sometimes. I must now go to bed.—Yours truly, Mardge Eent a.

[I am glad to welcome you into our cousinly circle. "What a curious and pretty name you have. Do tell me if it is reallyyour own,or just one you borrowed, in order to write to me without signing your surname ? Your family, like your cousin’s, seems scattered. Do you and Milly live together, or only near each other ? Write again soon. I like all your letters so much. Pet monkeys are terrible troubles. They hide all sorts of things you want, and sometimes play tricks with the baby. I heard of one which hid all a nice cat’s kittens, and buried them in the ground ! Two died, the others were recovered. —Cousin Kate. ]

Dear Cousin Kate.—As the cousins are starting to write to you, so lam going to. I have got a monkey ; he is very tricky, and breaks about six plates a week. lam still very young, so you must excuse such bad writing and mistakes. I had a large party my last birthday. We had such grand fun. I have eot a very small pony, pure white ; I call him Snowflake. My brother has got a little black pony, which he calls Niger. Papa is going to get us a goat to go in our goat-cart. I was six years old on my last birthday. My brother and I have got a governess ; she is very kind to us. We have got three St. Bernard dogs. One is black and white, the other is yellow, and the other is jet black. We have also got six pigeons. At first mamma said I could not write well enough to write to you. I have got a goldfinch. I have had it for three years. Will you please put this letter in the Graphic. A friend has come to spend the evening with us. My cousin has got six lambs ; he drives them all in a cart with bells tied round their necks with blue and pink ribbon. They look so pretty. Papa has got a pony carriage, and a brown pony which he drives in it every day. We are going to Otago to stay with Aunty our next holidays. Mamma wanted me to go to Germany and study music, but I cried, and papa said I needn’t go. lam so glad. Mamma says I ought to be ashamed of my bad writing. She says when I am six years old I ought to be able to write better. Sis is helping me to write this letter. Our parlour-maid has got the influenza. She had to leave because mamma was afraid of it. lam going to try and get my friends to write to you. I have got my cousin Mardge to write to you. Papa has got a new piano from Dunedin last week. I learn the violin and pianoforte. Some of my friends wanted me to play at a concert, but mamma said it was too common. My eldest sister Minnie, who is ten years old, is in Spain staying with Uncle Joe and Aunt Jane. My second eldest brother, who is nine years old, is in England being educated. He is coming home in three years. We have got a lot of fowls. Cousin Willie is coming to spend his next year’s holidays with us. We have got a four-storied house, with fifteen rooms in it. Believe me your little friend,—Millie Craig.

[Yours is a really excellent letter, Millie, for so young a child. If ever you are in Auckland, you must call and see me, so must any of the other * cousins.’ I should like to hear you play. Perhaps when you are older you will like to go to Germany. Please write again, and get any of your friends to write. I hope you will not take the influenza. Ask your cousin to tell us how he managed to train his lambs to go in the cart. Be sure and tell your mamma 1 am much pleased with your letter. —Cousin Kate.]

Dear Cousin Kate.—That lizard was not mine. I was taking care of it for someone else. It came from the Hen and Chicken Islands, Whangarei. While I was down with the measles it got away. One of my goldfish died. I hope all the cousins will soon write. I think their letters are so nice, don’t you ? A friend of mine gave me a desk. It is such a nice one, and it has plenty of room in it for keeping paper, pens, and things. My school is closed because of the measles. I was bad for two weeks.—Yours faithfully, Reginald Cottle.