COUSINS’ CORRESPONDENCE.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXI, Issue XVI, 17 October 1903, Page 59

COUSINS’ CORRESPONDENCE.

Dear Cousin Kate, —Is it not a long, long time since I last wrote to you. I have commenced several letters, but somehow did not finish them. We have just received the New Zealand ‘•'Graphics," and I have so enjoyed reading them. I have just come back from the sea-side, where we have been for three weeks. We went to Westgate-on-Sea. It is such a pretty place, and lovely sea bathing. To get to the bathing machines one has to go through the water in a eart. There are very high chalk cliffs there, and we went for lovely walks along them. I took several photographs of the bathing machines, etc. We came back to London last Friday, and it is now Monday evening. We are still having our summer holidays, but have plenty to amuse ourselves with, as we have taken a house in Pembridge Square, and it is such lovely fun furnishing it. Not long ago we went to the Tower. What a very interesting place it is. We saw the block on which some of Henry VHl.’s wives were beheaded: also the green on which this took place. We went up numbers of little spiral staircases, with walls sft thick. Is this not an enormous thickness? We also went to St. Paul’s. We went over some of it, but had not time to see all,

as a service was to be given, unfortunately for us, just a little while after we went in. I have left boarding-school, and am going to have a governess, and am so very pleased. It is my small sister s birthday on Sunday next, and she will be ten years old. She is getting very excited. I think you know I have two dear little baby sisters. The eldest— Molly—is nearly 15 months old, and the youngest—Marjorie—is only, or at least nearly, four months. They are so very sweet. IV hen the French President came to London I went to see him pass through the streets. We went to some friends’ rooms at the corner of Piccadilly and St. dames -street. We had a splendid view.

There was a terrific crowd, and the President had a splendid reception. We go to onr new house tomorrow week, so you may imagine how busy we are. My address will then be: 31 Pembridge Square. London, W. I hope you will receive this letter safely, and that I will see it in print. I wonder if you and all the cousins have forgotten me, as it is so long since I have written. I collect post-cards, and have nearly two hundred. Not very many, but hope to get more soon. In June I went to Henley regatta. It was simply glorious. 1 went in my cousin’s punt. We left Paddington about II o’clock a.m. It took us a little over an hour to get down. We went to the punt, and punted up the river a little way to watch the races. After that we went up the river to a green field, with lovely shady trees. Here we landed and had our lunch, which we had with us. We then went on the river again, and stayed there until after 8.30 p.m. The house-boats looked so awfully pretty illuminated. We arrived home after a very enjoyable day, but very tired. Mother and father gave me such a lovely present for last birthday, which was in May, and I was 15. They gave me a lovely dressing-bag. It is fitted with everything. The bottles are cut glass, and have silver tops, and it has ivory brushes. I received such a number of presents, and amongst them two from New Zealand, which, you may be sure, I was delighted to get. How sorry you must all have been to lose Lord and Lady Ranfurly. They were such excellent people, were they not? I read a book the other day—“ Diana Barrington,” by B. N. Croker. At first I thought I liked it, but in the end found I did not at all. I think it a lot of nonsense. Have you read it. Cousin Kate? I ain going to try and write to you more regularly now, and hope I shall receive some answers from you. I am so curious to know your real name, and do wish you would tell me it. Have I ever met you? Please excuse my curiosity, but I think it only natural, do you not ? Just before I went to Westgate I went to the Crystal Palaee. We went for dinner, and saw the fireworks afterwards. They were simply magnificent. Amongst them was a motor-car race, all in fireworks, of course, and two people danced. It was so funny. I also went to Earl’s Court, and in the “Water Shute,” which is simply lovely. I think I have exhausted all my news. Hoping to see this letter in print.—With love from Cousin Roie.

[Dear Cousin Roie, —You will have no idea how glad I was when I came down to the office on Monday morning last and found on the top of a huge pile of cousins’ letters one from you. I recognised the hand at once, and said to mvself:

“Now all the cousins will be delighted, for they are always asking when Cousin Roie is going to write again.” Your letter is most interesting. We have all been wondering what had become of you, but thought you had too much to do when at boarding-school, and were too busy enjoying yourself during the holidays to remember us. I am very glad you have not altogether forgotten us, for (as I have hinted) the cousins by no means forgot you. What a lovely time you must be having in London. Yes, I have been to the Tower many, many times, and saw all the things you mention. I suppose you also saw the Crown jewels while you were there, and the splendid collection of armour. Did you go up to the Whispering Gallery at St. Paul’s? It is a long climb up the stairs, but very interesting. I wish you would send me some of your photos for the Children’s Page. I am sure the cousins would love to see them. How are you

getting on with the photographs, by the way? Mr. Walrond, of our paper, who used to give you lessons, was asking if I ever heard wrom yon, the other day. Furnishing a house in London, if you don’t have to economise, must be lovely', for the shops are just full of lovely things, and there are so many new ideas. Ido hope you will write again soon, Cousin Roie, and tell us all about your now home. Are you ever coming back to New Zealand? I daresay you will want to sooner or later, as most New Zealanders do. With love.—Cousin Kate.]

Dear Cousin Kate, —Would you please accept me as a cousin? I take great interest in the cousins' page. a« 1 am very fond of reading. My father is the postmaster of Woodville. The clematis is out here now, and papa goes down the Manawatu Gorge on his bike and gets it. I am twelve years old, and in standard V. We are having nice weather here now. Have you ever read “The Little Larrikin,” or “Miss Bobby,” or "The Seven Little Australians’” They are by Ethel Turner, and I enjoyed reading them very much. I must close now, Cousin Kate.—l remain, yours sincerely, Cousin Eileen.

P.S.—When you get some badges in. would you please send me one? [Dear Cousin Eileen, —I shall be very pleased indeed to have you for one of my cousins, and I will send you a badge directly I get some. They will be finished to-moiTow, I hope. The clematis is a lovely flower, isn’t it ? I tried to grow some in our garden, but have not succeeded yet. I have read nearly all Ethel Turner’s books, and like them very much indeed. I am like you, and love reading whenever I get the chanee, which is not very often nowadays. Do you ride a bicycle, too? You and your father could have such lovely rides together through the Gorge, if you do, couldn’t you? I hope you will write to me again soon, and I won’t forget your badge.—Cousin Kate.]

Dear Cousin Kate, —I was very sorry not to see you when I was in Auckland. Never mind, I might see you next time. I was very sorry to have kept you in that afternoon. Well, I must tell you about my trip up and down. It was lovely going up. and. what do you think? it was such a horrid day in New Plymouth, and yet it was the best trip they had had for nine months. We were not in the least bit sick, it was a lovely trip. I was very pleased to get your letter, and so surprised, too. Dear Cousin Kate, do we have to send threepence if we want a badge? I am very sorry to say I cannot find mine anywhere. Please will you write and tell me. I will tell you that I have got a dear little black kitten, with a white stroke on its neck, and I do not know what to call it. Please will you give me a name for it? You ought to have gone to see “Little Lord Fauntleroy; it was simply lovely. Little Addie Forking did take her part well. Did you go to “The Lady Slavey?” I did, and enjoyed it very much, and the little midget—he is so funny. The hall was crowded. Well, ns there is no

more news to tell, I must close my very short note, with love to you and all the cousins.—Hannah.

[Dear Cousin Hannah. —Thank you very much for your note, which I got this morning. It did not matter in the least your keeping me in that afternoon, only I was sorry not to have seen you. I am glad you had such a lovely trip up, but I am sorry to say it doesn’t make much difference to me whether it is calm or

rough, as I un dreadfully ill in either ease. You ask me if you have to send threepence for your badge. I will send you one for nothing, directly I get some. At present we haven’t one. I really don't know any good names for black kittens. How would “Smut” or “Nigger” do? or you might call it “Coon.” I was very sorry, indeed, not to have aeen “Little Lord Fauntleroy,” but I will go and see it next time. I went to the “Lardy Slavey” and liked it very much, especially the Dwarf part. He is very funny, isn’t he? Where did you get the pretty note paper you use? And it has your own initial on it, too.—Cousin Kate.] Dear Cousin Kate, — The reason I didn’t write to you last time ill type was because 1 was rather sick of writing letters that way. 1 have made two other attempts to write to you. but found 1 bad absolutely nothing to tell you. laist Wednesday the choir had another concert in aid of the organ fund, and it was a brilliant success. I think there is to be another soon. and I hope that will come off as well as this one. The old High School boys are having another dance- on Tuesday, and I will l>e able to go this time. I am so plenei <l. bes-nuse I just love dancing, as 1 told you before. I do hope the weather will be a little bit colder, as it will lie really too hot for.-danring, if it doesn’t change. Ou Nov. 9 we are going to have a loral ete again, and I am going in for the best four in hand in bicycles, all to be decorated. Four girls are to be driven by a boy or man. I think it will be very pretty, don’t you? 1 haven't had a second letter from Cousin Alison yet. and I see by the “Graphic” that she hasn’t written to you. Ido wish she would, as 1 love her letters Africa. Oh! Cousin Kate, I wish yon would put your photograph in the “Graphic.” Don’t you think you could sometime, as I am sure all the other cousins would be delighted. Cousin Kate, have you read a book called “Princess Puck.” by Silberad. 1 think it is such a nice book. I do not read now half as much as J used to do. I don’t seem to have the time. Could you tell me of another nice one? I liked the "Virginian” you told me to try and get.

We won’t be going to Singapore now till after Christmas, as our two aunts (one from England and the other from Tasmania) are coming to pay us a visit. Just fancy! the one in England is an authoress, and writes such grand books, at least I like them. When she goes Home again I think she will write one about New Zealand. Now, Cousin Kato. I haven't really got anything else to tell you. <o I will have to stop, with love to you and all the cousins, from Cousin Dora. [Dear Cousin Dora.—The Old High School boys' dance will be over by this time, and I hope you enjoyed it as mmh as you expected. Tuesday was a most perfect moonlight night lu re. I hope it was the same in New Plymouth. It wasn’t a bit cold, though. Be sure and tell me all about it next time you write. The decorated four in-hand bicycles ought to be awfully pretty, and it is quite a new idea. too. isn’t it? At least I have never heard of it before. 1 don’t think we can be going to have a Floral Fete this year, as I have not heard anything about it yet. Cousin Alison has hardly had time to answer my letter yet. has she? I am really thinking of putting my photograph in the “Graphic.” but don’t you think you all like inc mmh belter when you arc not quite sure who I am? Yes, I have read “Princess Puck.” and liked it immensely. Have you read “Cardigan,” by Chambers? If you liked the “Virginian” you will like that too. Aren’t you very excited about your aunts coming to visit you? How long is it since you saw them last ? Next time you write will you tell me the names of some of your aunt’s books’ I should so much like to read them.— Cousin Kate.] + + + Dear Cousin Kate, —I was very pleased to see my letter in the “Graphic’’ when I came home from school to-night. As you say that you do not like to see birds shut up in cages for I would much rather see them on the trees. I am going to an entertainment on Tuesday

night with two school chums oi* mine. 1 told you about »oy brother’s ami the of her day a young one was halvated and F put *'ie H.ilA . ring on aiui tlw mother polled it off and tried to hide it, but XoituuMtely I happened to see h«*r nt lie game- 1 do not think that you know u-hat H.H.C. means, but I will toll you. It i* a .mg which is put round the birds with the word* Haxt* ings Homing t tub. Some people think that the ling ia tight round the bird's leg- luu ir is not so, lor it is a lot too h»g. Wi.al a nice lot of cousins there ar** now. Cousin Kate. There are a lot o< Übibs now round here. 1 will close now. Loping ibis will bud you quite well. I en«L»«e an addressed envelope for ihe badge. -I remain, yours truly. Cousin George.

| Dear Cousin George, Thanks very nuicb for your letter this week. 1 think mo«d people would rather see bird* living altoitl than see them shut up in vagcM. [ hone your entertainment was a succes*. and that you enjoyed yourself very much. Y»»u must tel) me all about it next time you write. Yon are quite right in thinking that I shouldn’t know whai H.H r. meant- Do all the homing pigeons have lings on their legs? I never knew pigeons were so cute, as the Americans would say. Fancy the mother taking the ring off the little one’s leg and trying to hide it! Hope says that you have hurl your plbow. I hope it will .s«»on be quite right.—Cousin Kate.] + + 4Dear Cousin Kate, —T was very pleased to e my letter in the “Graphic.” The Jungle -link- are very good this week: I always like reading them aud the letter.-. I have done four of the puzzle*. George i* not going to try for the prize*. Yesterday be fell down while Tie was playing with the wool truck, and he took the <kin off his elbow; it is very stiff ami painful to-day. I am going to ;'•»! entertainment on Tuesday week. I hope it will be fine. My little niece js staying with us, and at present mm» i- wanting a pen and paper to writeShe is always writing to her mamma in her own fashion. It would take a very clever person to translate it. do vou not think so 7 Have vou read a book called “Beulah.” by A. E. J. Wilson? M is a very nice book, so is “Inf el ice,” another nice book, written by her. Well. I must now close with love-—1 remain your lov i’ig Cousin Hope. ID* ar Cousin Hope, I am glad you find “Jungle -links'* amusing- 1 think they are very a •».•«♦! indeed this week f.»o. Why Ln’t George going to enter for the eiiiiV. litmus? 1 wanted ycu all In try to do ihr-ni. 1 forgot to tell George in »ut letter that I will send the Imdge directly I get them. How old is vour ' :e niece? J don’t think I should like t.» have to translate h?r Tetter* if they are anythin" like the one* my li*t?»* nieces write. Yes. 1 have read l>oth •‘-B ulan” and ••Infolice.” but 1 think I At the Mercy of Tikrius.” by Miss Wilson, better than any *f the others. though they are ail very much alike. don't you think so? — Cousin K.nr. Dear ( •nt.sin Kate.— I suppose you think that I mt-st have forgotten ail aTw.ui \ot«. but -lov. you can see I have not- Have not we had very bad weather tic-? ’a-' two or three days? D has made th? p’ae • dreadfully muddy round about livre. I had a splendid tiin.’ la>t v.wk. a« you know we had a week’* holiday from sehcof. I was staying in v>un for a feu days at my friend* place, and 1 r-an tel! yon we ail had a very nine time. Last Monday there was a grand concert held in the Remnera Hall. We all intended to go. but it wk too wet and muddy. Tonighi • \*. < •>nv_-»b*y • there is a s.-.-i.i! at St. I Li hr’- Bay in the r-hnrrh, and we wi-hrd to go very much, but could not. So you see wo have had two disappointments. ami I hope w? will nor have ain mor. I was very pleased tn see that my <‘oti>in Ethel has joined again and 1 hope she will keep it up. Ethel i- one of my great chmiis. and I van tell you up have heaps of fun when wo get t«>«other. The worst of it is that Ethel lives .-»» far away and wo cannot **e one another very oft*»n. Well. Cousin Kate. 1 mu-t dose my short letter with best love to all the popmtis. not forgetting vourself.— Courin Mab«L [Dear ( 011-in Mabel.— I am very pleased in ictMl to hear from you again, but I wat sorry not to see the answers of the

puzzle* in your letter. Are you not going to try for the prize*? I wanted all .uy coumhs to enter for it if po:«ibie. We have l*een having the in<»*L dreadful weather, haven't we? and *»ue really begins to wonder where all the rain comes from. I hMre been wet through three or four times this week, and I am beginning to get very tired of it. 1 am so sorry you were unable to go to yo r two entertainments this week. You are not so fortunate as we are because we can always gt abouC in th** Tams in wet weather- Are you not sorry your hoii«iay< are over? But. of <*onrse. you have the ( hristmas holidays to look forward to. Well. Mabel, they aie waiting for th€.,v letter- so 1 aiuat '■top.— Cousin Kate. | Dear Cousin Kate.-—I was sn glad to see my leiter in the “G.jphic*' this week. We do get the “Graphic” every week, hut the time my fust letter was in something happened, and tb*»y wer» sold before we weu, f u r our*. There was something important in it that week so I suppose that more people wanted it. I would Tike to try the puzzle which was in the -Graphic.” bu* I am af\a?d I mn too small. When we have read the •’Graphic 1 * we send it down to Invercargill t-> my grandma; she lilies to sec if. I must stop now I am rather busy. I.ovp to you and all the cousins. — Cousin MurielDear Cousin Muriel. 1 am so sorry you didn’t see the nns .ver tn your first letter. The -Graphics'’ have been sold out much sooner than usual lately. I suppose becau-e there has !*eeii so much of public interest in them- Some of the puzzles are very easy, so 1 hope you will try to do them. Have you ever been down to Invercargill to visit your grandmamma? I exj>ect you would think it dreadfully cold after Auckland; but you would be able to play snowball*, and that is xvhat we never can do Tier?. Weil, Muriel. F have nothing new to write about this morning so will close-— Cousin Kate.] Dear Cc.- dn Kate<—l suppose you did wonder why Desmond did not write to you. I think he is getting lazy, don't you? He is writing to you this week. Auu will be pleased to hear from him again. Yes. 1 have another friend to take Gl-?dj? Pinfold's pk?c»*. f have Amy Do you know her? t do not have earache very often. 1 am glyd to -ay. Do you get earache? I often play fot»rb;dl with D. <niond, and King-a-*pni. It is good fun. Also hide-and-seek, and tig. Muriri has to draw a map of Asia daring the holidays. She is drawing it to-night. lam glad I don’t have to draw maps. Rungi came up to play with D« smond to-day. hut he was down at Hawea’s place. He stayed tip here for th? afternoon. The “Graphic” came v,’non he was here, and mother rea l out of it uiy little letter and “Jungle Jinks.” and the story al»out Burdock's goat. The quilt »< for my doll's go-cart.' not for their bod. Mot her - finished it noir* My little cousin Olga that I mentioned to vou is O!ga Hcgnmnn. is coming iu on d»v tn stay rill Sunday. Muriel is going to take her home on Sunday after ntwn. I think it would l»e verv nice if you had a lxx*k of all you ’‘Graphic” cousins. 1 think it will be a grand

idea. I ani in the third standard now. Mother took Muriel down co “The Lady Slavey” on Friday nigh*, and 1 went on Saturday aftejmoon- 1 think Little Gulliver wa- the I laughed all the time ho was on the stage. \'<>w 1 must ch'-e with lt»ve to vmirM-lf and all the other cousins.—Valerie.

[Dear Co*imi; Valerie.- 1 received Desmond'* letter hist week- as you will see by the “Graphic.” f was very glad, indeed. to hear from him again. No. I don’t know Amy Sjl.bald. She .loes.i't belong to uh band of cousins, I think. I expect you arc very glad you don't often have < a niche, it is so very painful. worse even than toothache. I think, don’t you? What splendid game- you and Desmond mu-* have! Doesn't Muriel ever join you in them? Y’ou haven't mentioned your lit He friends, th? twins, latelv. How are they? Didn't you tell me that they lived next door to you? I am so glad you liked “The Lady Slavey.* Moat people seem to think it was very funn' T .— Kate.] v-"** ’

>usia Kate.—Thank you so iniH-k for the pretty badge. I went to Mrs iieeves' «ehool party, and they liad a le*Q]y Xnias tree, and one of the girls was dfe?<se«l up •« Santa Claus, and they bed such loeely things, and I got a sweet little dull. We hare violets and priasmses out. aud other spring Hou er-. And wo also hate the carpenters building. Ur are going to get a see-saw made. It was my birthday <m Saturday. 1 got a baby doH <1 call it Marjorie), a birthday cake, a scrapa tortojsoshell and two lace

pins with horse shoes ou them made of gold, and sis little handkerchiefs, and a lo- ely handkerchief case, stb erinounted

and Doreen written across it. I am looking forward to the competitions and hope they wHI uot lie too hard. With love to all the other <-ounins and lots to vutirself. Cousin Doreen.

[Dear Cousin Doreen.—lt seems quite a long time sjnw I heard from yon last. I am-glad yon liked your badge. What a lowh- time vote must have had at. vour party. We are going to have a big Xinas tree in Auckland iu December at the Veterans’ Home Bazaar. 1 hope it will be a good one. Won’t yon be glad when the carpenters have finished? 1 think they arc stieh a nuisance, and they make stk-h a dreadful noise. Many happy Teturtß of your birthday, dear Doreen. It is rather late, isn’t it. but better late than never? What a Ivcky girl you were to got such lovely presents. and so many of them. too. You will have seen the first tompetitiun by this time. I hop.- von won’t find t-om too hard —Cousin Kate.]

Dear Cousin Kate—l am in a great hurry, as I have to write this letter before I go out, in order to be in time for next week’s “Graphic. Me have 111 new pieces,for our -pianolo.” T 1 ?re are about eight operas among them, also some coon songs and eake-watks. lotuorrovc I am going to have two tee,h out with cdiloroform. Don't you envy nie? The photographs that I promised to send you are not quite finished, but I will semi yon them in next week’s letter. I think we are going to "Arizona, so I am looking ferward to it very much. Are vou going to the eonc-c-.t at St. Benedict s Hail fir the Veterans’ Home? 1 am not. I know two or thr.c people who are going to take part in it. W hat lovely post-cards are in this week’s "Graphic.'' The one of Cornwall Park is very good. read any of Loursa Al. Alott’s bc<ok>>? I have four of Iters, and like them, very much. I have a camera, and used to take photos with it, but am sick r.f it —like everything else. My little niece .Alarjorie .got a present of a diamond. ring. Site is only ten weeks old. Rather young for a ring, is she not ? Now, dear Cousin Kate. I am afraid I must elose this sherk note, but I have really no more news nor time. AVith heaps of love from Cousin Gwen.

(Dear Cousin Gwen, —Your letter is just in time, as you will see. I, too. have a pianolo. and am very fond of it. It is one of the most marvellous inventions of our time, I think. The very latest phtie-las-are better than mine, for they have a transparent cover, which completely stops the noise of the roll, as it unwinds. Do you ptay it much? Some people make so much more out of it than others. With some .it is almost like a barrel organ, it is played so loudly and with s» little expression, and with one or two players I know it would be impossible to detect whether it was a

pianola or a very great musician playing. I shall be glad to have those photos when they are finished I hope you have got over the chloroform by this time. It always makes me feel dreadfully sick after. *m> someone has sent your niec- a diamond ring? Y'et, as you say. ten montlis is certainly rather young. Of course it will be put away till she is almost if not quite grown up, but l-tliink it almost a pity to give children jewels. Tlrey are jewels enough in themselves. I am glad you liked the post-cards. Thera will be more next week.—Cou-in Kate.)

Dear Cousin Kate,—l suppose you will wonder why 1 have not written before. I seem to have been to busy to !«■ able to write to anyone. I have been reading a very nice story called “By the Waters of Babt lon.’ by C. Despard. It is a lovely story, an,! a great favourite of mine. I am very fond of reading, and 1 have rend nearly all the books in the house. I have read several nice boys’ books, among

» hich are ‘T'uder Hatches,** by F. Frank* fort Moore; "St. George for England.” by A. Hent.v; and "tine of the 28th.'’ *k* *•- Henty. Have you ever read auv of them? They arc al|_adventure storie* Now. 1 really must finish this letter, ttood-bye. Yonr lowing ebusin. Marjorie. (Dear Cousia Marjorie,—lt was plea■ant to get another letter from you I w»s just begiMring to wonder if you were g-»ug to write again soon. I like all Henty s books. You can always reed them with enjoyment. I hope vou will send me a longer letter next week, ami tell me some news about what vou are doing.—Cousin Kate.]