Tuesday, February 11th

A lovely real New Zealand day, warm sun and cool breeze and delicious haze over everything. Rode to Christchurch with Dr Jackson and Mr Godley and dined at Riccarton with John Deans. Filled ourselves with plums from his overladen trees. Peaches, apples and pears growing as thick as they can grow. He surprised me by saying he was unable to get strawberries to grow. The mare went beautifully, as light under me as an indiarubber ball. Home late to tea and had consultation with Andy about the proper way to go about building the house. I was walking in a dream still about 'my big thought'. I can with difficulty realize the extent of my great good fortune, truly, what between present and future, my happiness is at its height. The luxury of perfect contentment and the brightest prospects deserves a thanksgiving to God such as I am unable, or through unworthiness ashamed, to offer up in a special manner. Today Mr Godley handed me a letter, from Mamma, enclosing one from Jemmy and Mima, dated July 28th last. He had not heard his marriage, approved of at home, and was therefore still in a desponding state. Still talking earnestly of coming here should things come to the worst, and of his desire to have an investment here. A most affectionate note from Mima of a general nature, but written from the depths of a warm heart. Jemmy says Louie is completely changed by the admiration she receives from her numerous admirers, that she is not content to live quietly without it. Poor Louie! Mamma says in her scrap that she has heard of Sophia's arrival in Mauritius, page 128July 23rd—exceedingly happy, and about to add to the population in April next. Of course!—'it would not be Sophia!