—Having the opportunity of sending to London in time for to-night's post, I must write a line in answer to yours just received.

I am not surprised to hear that some of "Buller's friends" prefer the Westminster Abbey stone to the New Zealand College. I am only surprised that they should have got Lord Ashburton to take their view. For them (I speak of "some of Buller's friends") it is a convenient view. They are of the class of friends who do not wish Buller's memory to be too much exalted, and who, in particular, for fear of offending some Whig susceptibilities of jealousy, would be against exalting his memory in especial connexion with colonial matters; and least of all with New Zealand. But they are of no weight, and will be amongst the first to come into the greater scheme as soon as it shall be broached. My only regret is that they should have disposed your brother—who was a real friend—to prefer the smaller memorial.

The greater project rests on feelings and principles of human nature, which will carry it through to success in spite of carping and some small objections by the jealous and the hangers-on of the jealous. I am confident that you can do it. I think that you do not like to be baulked any more than myself: and if you please, I will (always working in obscurity from my den here) undertake that Wynter, Adderley, McGreachy, and other Canterbury men, with some other New Zealand and colonial men, and some real "friends of Buller," who are neither New Zealand nor colonial, should do the work for you, and in the way you should suggest through me, even though you should not be in England at all. I pray of you to reflect on this, and, if possible, to let us go to work. In the hope that you will, I do not tell Wynter anything at present; and I should be loath to mention anywhere Lord Ashburton's present view, because I am sure it is not his own, and that he will embrace the greater measure when it shall be started, and before it shall be public. In haste.

Adderley and other "Colonial Government Society" men are coming here on Saturday, the 15th: and if you happened to be then on your way to Paris, you might choose to meet them; but I have told Adderley and Molesworth that it is out of the question that I should ask you to come.