COUSINS' CORRESPONDENCE.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXVI, Issue 23, 9 June 1906, Page 52

COUSINS' CORRESPONDENCE.

Dear Cousin Kate, —It was rather startling to me to see one of the cousins remarking that each is expected to write once a fortnight. Do we forfeit membership if we fail to comply with this rule? 1 hardly like to remember how long it is since I wrote. It was just before 1 left for the South, for I got the ‘•Graphic’’ with my letter in it at Lyttelton. Well, I have been round the Southern Sounds, and really, no one has exaggerated a bit in their praise, even the most enthusiastic or wordy. One could not, .anyway, for there are no words to convey an idea of their beauty. It is easy to write of “silver mists” and "purple pecks,” and "dim shadows,” and so on. but the mere words "purple,” “blue.” "shadow,” "glow,” mean nothing at all in the face of the glorious colouring, the light and sliade of the West Coast Sounds. Milford Sound. the most. familiar through pictures, has to be seen to be realised, for no artist could paint, no poet describe it as it is. So what is the use of my trying? But one's memory contains a wonderful picture gallery, and right “on the line” in mine will always hang the picture of Milford Sound at dawn. On our way back we came up the Wanganui River. 1 was much surprised to find it so narrow and shallow. Climbing up the rapids was quite difficult, and grew very wearisome towards the end of the day. We had a splendid day going up—fine, but overcast, and the reflections were lieautiful beyond words. On tlic down-trip the water sparkled and glittered so in the dazzling sunlight that all this was lost. Still it was as well to see the river under two aspects. We stayed only two days at Pipiriki. and saw very little of the river above that point. But we intend going by 'way of Rotorua. Taupo, and Taumaranui, and the river in September next. We are told that that is the best time to see it, for the banks are gold with kowhai and starred with clematis. But it would lie hard to find them more lieautiful than now. with purple stretches of koromiko among the endless shades of green, and hundreds of lieautiful, kingly tree-ferns. The extraordinary little “post offices”—posts in the river—interested me very much. They reminded me of the Cape Horn Post Office, a barrel swinging up and down on the waves, fastened by a chain to a rock near Magellan Straits. I wonder if it is still there. You asked me to tell about my bird-of-passage life. The difficulty is to know where to begin. Of course you don't want geography-book information, but. I suppose, travelling impressions and laid customs. W hen I said I had never been in one country for a whole year in my life. I should have said a whole year at a time, for at different times and seasons I have spent many Tuorc than twelve months in Ireland, England, Japan, and France. I was taken home from Japan before I was quite a year obi, and till I was five travelled all over Europe with my father. Of course 1 hate no recollection of this beyond a few odd pictures in my memory-gallery-, lint wince that time I have revisited all the old places with my guardian. Russia I have never seen, however. Here is my

list: In Europe—England and Wales, Scotland. Ireland (home), Norway, Denmark. Germany. Austria, Hungary, France, Switzerland. Holland, Spain, Italy. Greece. Malta. In Asia—Persia, India, Bunnali, Singapore, Ceylon, and Japan. In Africa (the two extremes) — Cape Colony and Morocco, also Egypt. (But I was very small then, and can just remember the Pyramids—and a donkey in Cairo that bit the guide's arm very badly). In America—Brazil (for a very short visit. liowe,er|, Panama. West Indies (Port Rieo and Jamaica), and the L’nited States. 1 have not yet seen Canada. Then Australia, New Zealand, St. Helena. Seychelles islands, Mauritius, the Azores. Canary islands, and Falkland Islands. Two years ago we nearly broke my odd record. We had been in Japan for eleven months, and had no intention of leaving for some time, when a business matter called my guardian home suddenly, and we left Japan just three days short of a year after coming to it. However. it will tie broken this year if we stay in New Zealand past August, and my guardian lias already planned a trip to the Southern lakes for November. Japan is the most fascinating, the most alluring place 1 have seen. I love it. Perhaps next time 1 shall tell you something about it, but this is getting too long. Your placing India in the front of your dreams of travel surprised me—why India? It is very splendid, and very squalid. It is one of the countries I do not care to go back to. But when you do go. mind you see the Taj Mahal. I see the cousins all render an account of themselves from a literary point of view, naming their favourite authors and books. When lam home (home is in the south-west of Ireland), surrounded by the library shelves, 1 love so many books that it seems to me 1 should never be able to ehoose my favourites if 1 did not have to. But one cannot carry a very extensive library round the world with one. so my travelling library is of necessity limited to those books I eould not possibly do without. Here they are — the books that go everywhere with me— Shakespeare, the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam (Fitzgerald's). Alice in Wonderland, Tennyson. The Newcomes, David Copperfield and A Tale of Two Cities, Rob Roy. The Mill on the Floss. Fauntleroy. Wild Animals 1 Have Known, The Trail of the Sand-Hill Stag, and Lives of the Hunted, The Sowers. The Prisoner of Zenda, two of Jane Barlow's —Bogland Studies and Irish Idylls, and a volume of Irish folk-lore and legends. Lately I have added the dainty Monsieur Beaueaire. and Rostand’s L'Aiglon has been a constant companion since I saw Bernhardt play it —it is beautiful to read. Sometimes -The White Company comes along too. or perhaps old Sartor Resartu«. or Dante, or ‘Sir Toady Lion. Just now I am reading a very interesting biography—Wertheimer’s Duke of Reichstadt it is splendid. By the way. the Kipling stories Hilda spoke of in her last letter are "Just so Stories”—not to he even “thought of in the same think” with the real Jungle Books.—-HEBO

I Dear Cousin Hero.—l don’t think any of tlie Cousins have any particular set time for writing, but most of them know that I am always glad to hear from them. As for forfeiting your membership. that is never done. You see we arc rather proud of the number of Cousins we have, there are nearly three hundred now 1 think, but when we are quite sure that one particular Cousin lias given up

writing, we just take the name off the list. So you think our Sounds are lovely and compare most favourably with the beauties of other countries. Do you know I think beauty of any sort is the hardest thing in the world to describe or express, because you feel it, and as a rule it takes your breath away, at least that is how I feel aliout it. I w-ant io sit still and be quiet and just gaze. Most people are rather astonished at rhe narrowness and the shallowness of the Wanganui River; I heard an American tourist make ratlier a funny remark about it. Some one. a colonial 1 should think, said, “Y’ou Americans talk a lot about navigation. etc., what do you think of the Wanganui River?” The answer was. “Well we do pride ourselves a little, but we have never tried to navigate a metallist road with a sprinking of dew on it.” I suppose if you take your intended trip, you will go to the Christchurch Exhibition, people say it will be very good. I don’t know exactly why I wish to see India so much, the East has always a fascination for me, and China I should, not eare for. I certainly should like to see Japan, but one reads so much more aliout India, so I suppose that is why I put it in the forefront of my dreams. Your travelling library is rather a mixture, isn't it ? I’m sure if I were limited to a few like that, I should end in taking nothing, because I should never be able to make up my mind. Well. Hero, I fancy between us we shall lie taking up riMre space than we ought, so I must stop. Write again soon, there’s a good chap. —Cousin Kate.] ■fr + + Dear Cousin Kate,—Reading all your nice answers to cousins makes me want to become one too. and if you will have another boy cousin. I shall feel greatly favoured if you will accept me. J had my first birthday party of any size last month, when I was twelve years of age. My mother gave me a beautiful big cake with my name, brithday wishes, four little fairies, and a ship, for the centre; also a big box of crackers, and many other ni(,e presents given me by friends who came to the party. 1 had a letter from Lord Charles Beresford, whom I am named after. He also seat me a splendid photo, of himself. Would you like to see them? 1 went io my first ball last August as Lord Nelson, and I am looking forward to this year's, though I do not think 1 could improve on the character. Hoping my first letter is not too long or taking up too much space. I will conclude. I shall la- anxious to know if you will have me for a cousin. and also whether you will send me a liadge. in the meantime, remaining, vour friend, BERESFORD.

I Dear Cousin Beresford,—Thank you very much for your pretty little compliment about my answers to the cousins’ letters. They are often not as interesting as I could wish, but sometimes I have so little time to write them in that I just write the first thing that comes into my head, interesting or otherwise. I shall be delighted to have you for a cousin, and will post a badge to you at once. With such a famous name you ought to go into (be Navy, do you like the sea? I don’t, but then I am a very poor sailor. I should like very much indeed to see Lord Charles BeresfoTd's letter to you and his photograph. If you scud them for me to see I will take great care of them, and return them im-

mediately. I don’t think you eon improve on your character for the fancy areas bail either. Who's ball was it, and is there going to be one thia year?—• Cousin Mate.]

Dear Cousin Kate, —Will you let me join your band and become one of your cousins? I like reading the cousins’ letters, and would like to see mine among them. How many cousins have you got now? There always seem to be such a Jot of different names in the “Graphic.” I am sending you an addressed envelope for a badge if you will be so kind as to send me one. Did you go to see the -unveiling of the statue of Sir John Logan Campbell on Empire Day? Were not there a large crowd there? Do you collect post cards, they seem to b? the rage now ? I have some such pretty ones. We live quite close to the beach, and in summer time we go down for a liathe in the morning before school. I can swim now, and I miss the bathes C” much, as it is too cold to bathe now-Good-bye.—From GWEN. [ Dear Cousin Gwen,—l shall be verypleased indeed to have you join the cousins' band, and shall hope to often see your name amongst the others in the cousins' page. Is Cousin Essie your sister, if so. I wish you would ask her to write again soon. It is quite a long time since I heard from her. No, I didn’t go out to the unveiling of Sir John Campbell’s Statue, but 1 heard there was a pretty big crowd out there. I haven’t time to collect post cards, though I should like to. They make sueh a pretty collection, I think. One or two of my little nieces have very good ones. I expect you do miss your bathes in the ■winter time, but it is much too cold for ■you to get any enjoyment out of them at present. I will post a badge to you to-day, and hope you will like it.— Cousin Kate.] •F 4*. 4Dear Cousin Kate,: —May I become one of your cousins? 1 am eight years old. I go to the Ladies’ College, Remuera. but we have three weeks’ holidays now. I learn music, but I do not like to practise. Will ycu please se id me a badg ? —Cousin WINNIE. [Dear Cousin Winnie, —I shall lie very gla.d indeed for you to beetfSie one of the "Graphic” cousins, and shall hope to hear from you olten. When you write will you sign your letters “Cousin Winnie N,” because we have another Cousin Winnie, and it wouldn't do for us to be answering the wrong cousins’ letters, would it? Your three weeks’ holidays are very nearly over now. Are yon sorry? What a long way you have to go to school—all the way from Karan-gahape-road to Remuera. But I suppose von take ears all the way out? —Cousin Kate.] 4- 4- 4Dear Cousin Kate, —I suppose you are thinking I have deserted the cousins’ page? We have been having very bad weather here lately; it has been snowing to-day. The roads are very bad, so that I have to stay away from school. The flowers are all gone. The shooting season is on now. I was veiy interesteu in Cousin Hilda’s letter in the “Graphic.” I think she has a gift of writing. 1 don’t think I could write sueh long letters. There is not much news to tell you, so 1 will tell you more next time I write. 1 remain, your loving cousin, ADA. [Dear Cousin Ada, —What dreadfully cold weather you must be having to have snow already. Is there enough for you to snowball one another with? If so, it makes up for the cold, I think, for one can have sinh fun. I suppose you are not sorry that the roads are too bad for you to go to school? I know when 1 was your age I was delighted if anything happened to keip me at home. I thmk most people's gardens look very bare just now, bi.t there are plenty of violets, 1 am glad to say. I love them, don't you?—Cousin Kate.] •i 4- F

Dear Cousin Kate, —Many thanks for your kind appreciation of the tale of the King. I ought to have written last week, but social events and other matters of interest have simply tumbled over one another since I last wrote, and the difficulty with me is not what to write about, but to choose the things that might most interest yourself and the cousins. First I had a very long and interesting letter from Cousin Ethyll Jamieson, and amongst other items of news she tells me she has seen littel lirune in the title role of “Dorothy A er-

non of Haddon." and asks if I have read the book from which the play is adopted. Have you read it? I have, and knowing Haddon so well am literally steeped in its history, and the romantic sentiment attached to Haddon. I have a fine set of Haddon pictures, ami intend to send Cousin Ethyll one. Her description of the play, as performed in Melbourne, is so good that I have ventured to send you an extract from her letter. "The play is full of the dash and bravery surrounding the picturesque period of Queen Elizabeth. Through pathways hedged with laughter the audience is led to. the brink of situations of gravest peril, to hazardous achievements fronting stern disasters only to revert to moments of tender love-making, or scenes of delightful comedy, while from beginning to end the interest holds the spectator spellbound.” I am bound to confess- that Major's "Dorothy Vernon” upsets every preconceived idea I ever had of Dorothy, but all the same the book is interesting, and one can easily see how good a play could be made from it, as it abounds in dramatic situations. 1 suppose wc shall have the play here in good time? With Cousin Etliyll’s letter came a lovely pictorial post card of Coniston Church, and in the foreground is to be seen the beautiful Runic Cross erected to the memory of John Ruskin, of whose works Cousin Ethyll is a loving student. A subscriber in Tasmania sent me what I may term p.p.c. post-cards from there as her family are leaving to spend the winter in Melbourne. She has. however promised to send uh- some postcards of Melbourne, of which place curiously enough 1 hadn't a single pictorial post-card until yesterday, when I received from a girl friend there two ex.quisite ones. All tile cousins seem so interested in post-cards that 1 have been wondering whether we could not have some sort of systematic exchange. M hat do you think? 1 went last week to a “coming out” dance, and enjoyed myself muchly. Awful this last word is it not? but it expresses my meaning exactly. Some of the dresses were lovely, the music and floor were everything to be desired. I had a new frock, and the ices were my favourite ones. 1 went home with my hosts after the dance to spend ,the night, and the next day we all went to the unveiling, of the Logan Campbell Statue, which, though a fine one. did not seem to me to bear the slightest resemblance to the Sir John Campbell of to-day. 1 like the base of the statue very much. It would almost seem typical of Sir John's life, .since he came here as a pioneer so many years ago. The Governor was present and made a very felicitous speech, and indeed all the speechifying was very good. As we left the Governor’s mounted escort was waiting outside the gate. Both escort and mounts were the sorriest-looking specimens I have ever seen. What has become of the fine fellows who did so well in South Africa? I have begun to take lessons in wood-carving, and am getting on fairly well. Mother is an associate of the G.F.S., and in the branch she belongs to wood-carving is one of the things the girls may learn at the small cost of fourpenee a night. Wood, tools and designs are paid for out of the general fund. A very good concert was given a little while back to raise funds for this object, which was a great success. It is. I assure you, a very animated sight to see the girls all at work with Jjnife and mallet, and discover beautiful designs gradually growing on the plain square of wood before them, first in pencil, and then in chip or relief carving. I have been cycling a great deal lately with my brothers, who have got new bicycles, and have seen more of the sub urbs of Auckland during the last few weeks than 1 have ever seen before. The ’Frisco line brought me an item of news that may interest some of the cousins, 1 had sent the “Graphic” containing my account of the Pigmies to a relative at Home. In reply my relative says: “Howstrange that you should send us your letter about the Pigmies. 1 say strange because only two days before S. and I had driven over to N —to see two pf them. They are the funniest little fellows imaginable, but perfectly proportioned. as your letter says. And you should see their feats of marksmanship. They are truly marvellous.” Mother and I went last Friday- night to the monthly reunion of teachers and parents at the Chapel-street School. To use the genial headmaster's own words, the programme consisted of musie, speeches and supper. The musical part of it was tendered by Dr. Keith and friends, and was superlatively good, as the music at these

always ia. Songs were given by Madam Chambers and Dr. Keith, and piano and flute s<Abu were, givqn by Mm Rodgers,-Miss Hr Holland and Mr Barber respectively. We always look forward to these evenings, they are so thoroughly enjoyable. It is impossible to compute the-extent of good feeling and understanding that is brought about by teachers, parents and pupils being brought into dose touch. What was once stigmatised as the Truant School, has come to be noted for the courteous of.its little people, and not only has the. morale of the children ..been improved, but the neighbourhood in which the school is located. ( ,In a letter of a few weeks ago ■ I made the following statement to you, which I now, in all humility beg to retract, to the effect that tamer pranks were played by colonial children than their English compeers, and have to record a few pranks played by a cousin who shall be nameless. There have been holidays and —pandemonium A party was given, and this cousin vol , unteered to work up the amusements of the evening. Which offer was gratefully accepted. To this end active rehearsals of two plays, adapted, I believe, from “Comic Cuts,” took place, and the fun promised to prove fast and furious. The promise was fully redeemed, I do assure you. The evening arrived, and the play was presented to a small and select audience; necessarily small as nearly the whole party were included in the caste. I am sorry f cannot give you the name of the play, or a description of the plot, which is due to the fact that 1 have a very confused idea of both, for just when the actors had cast off the nervousness due to a first appearance, and were beginning to warm to their work, a syphon of soda-water from which the heroine’s health was to l>e drunk later, went off,unexpectedly, and in the excitement of the moment (this scene being totally unrehearsed) the whole cast fled incontinently thinking the deluge had arrived, and like the Chinese in the Jap. War. waited until the weather and other things cleared up. The wardrobe and properties were fearful and wonderful. The genius of a Cruickshank would lie needed to do them .justice. The gem of thj)i_properties wijs. a made from a Jatp: -prize, moitor-caf,There is some talk of the .play wiiig resuscitated. A proposal to rename* tt "Waimangu” was not received in the Jcindly spirit in which it was offered. A'traitor m the caste has been darkly hinted at, and further developments, are. expected. There are still some other pranks which I must tell you of later, if I am allowed to live after this expose; but already I hear the editor cry. “’Hold enough room for our serial!" —which, by the way, is one of the most delightful stories I have read. A good book to read is one by Booth Tarkington,”. called “The Conquest of Canaan." Of course you will know that he is the author of “Monsieur Beaucaire.” Tell me. will you, of a good book? With love to yourself and all the cousins.—• I remain your loving Cousin Hilda (Ponsonby). I’.S.—Pray forgive slovenly letter, as I am writing under great difficulties.

[Dear Cousin Hilda.—You give so much of your lime to the Cousins’ Page of the “Graphic" that neither the cousins nor myself have auy business to grumble when you miss-a week or two, though

naturally we miss your long newsy lette<i when you do. Cousin Ethyll seems to be a gryat devotee of the -stagey and her descript ions of wh'at jdiei hah sewn are always - remarkably good? Tine envies her her superior opportunities of seeing so much that we miss in Auckland. However, 1, like yourself,; am looking to see this particular play. Did you see “Veronique?” I must confess that I was disappointed in it; probably because 1 had heard so much about it beforehand. I always wish I had time to take up wood-carving. Were I a person of leisure I think photography and wood-carving would be my hobbies. 1 have heard of the Chapel-street School entertainments and of the great amount of good they are doing -before, and had . fully intended to go to the last one, but was unfortunately prevented. Colonial .- children play just as many pranks. I fancy, as their English cousins, but have greater facilities for (shall I say) “covering their tracks;” these particular ones are quite- one of the most amusing I have heard of lately, though. Have you read “A Gentleman from Indiana ?” . It is by Booth Tarkington, too, and is, to my thinking, even better than the "Conquest of Canaan.” Have you read ‘-Lavender and Old Lace,” or the “Scarlet Pimpernal?” they are both delightful . books.—Cousin Kate.] Dear Cousin Kate,—l am having my school holidays just now, and I am staying at Wellington again, and mother and father are in Auckland. They have been to Te Aroha, and are back in Auckland now. They are leaving Auckland next Tuesday, and will arrive here on Friday morning by the s.s. Manuka, and then father will take me home on Saturday night. I came up to Wellington with father and mother in the s.s. Manuka, and we had a lovely trip. lam staying with Auntie Trot again, and I am enjoying myself very much here. Uncle Jack took Auntie and I to the Living Pictures, and they were splendid. Last night he took us to “ Sinbad, the Sailor,” and that was lovely. The theatre went in at a quarter to eight and came out at a quarter past eleven. After! “ Sinbad, the Sailor” was over we saw transformation scenes, and -it was -lovely,, and-.we also -saw Columbine and a clown, and the play finished up with ‘‘Fun at the Zoo,” which made everyone laugh..,- Last Sun--day -we went up to Brooklyn in the car, and walked back. My doll Angelique is getting mended just now, and auntie bought it a silk dress, petticoat, and a bonnet, so it is a lueky doll. Auntie has a lovely dog, and it opens the gate and gives me a ride on his back, and his name is Strath, and auntie also has a polly and he says “ Ta” for everything you give him, and he can say a lot of things. I must close now with love to all the other cousins and lots to yourself.—From Cousin DOREEN.

[Dear Cousin Doreen, —It was very niee to hear from you so soon again. What a lueky little girl you are to be having such lovely holidays. You have had two trips to Wellington since Christmas. I hope your father and mother have enjoyed their visit to Auckland and Te Aroha. I’m afraid they would not have very, nice weather. Te Aroha at this time of the year is very

quiet and father cold. Last time we were there we found it dreadfully, cold, t herd-was snow on all the hills, arryl we 'arc-npjj used -to that inlthis pari-oj the world, you knovF; but" the ‘ hot mineral J baths are lovely. I think they take j away all one’s aehes and (tains, and that > is worth being very c0,.,' for, isn’t it? i I wish you could have come on to Auckland too, I should have liked ..to have seen you so much; but it is better to come here in the summer time, the harbour looks so much prettier then and there are sueh lots of places to go to that are too cold to visit -in the winter. What happened to Angelique that she wanted mending? She certainly is lucky to have so many new clothes all at once. Strath must be a grand dog. Do you mean that he can open the gate him-j self? —Cousin Kate.l