just bursting into green, and the water reflecting everything exquisitely.  Kingfishers and all kinds of birds flitting about and singing unfamiliar songs; bob-o-links going “twit-twit,” little yellow birds, kingbirds, crows, and the robin-thrushes everywhere.  I landed to-day at one place, and went into a wood to try and get flowers.  I only got one good one, but it was very lovely!  Two crows were making wild cries for the loss of one of their young ones which some boys had taken, and as I went on I heard the queer chirrup (like a bird’s note) of Adjidaumo the squirrel! and he ran across my path and into a hollow tree.  It is a much smaller squirrel than ours, about the size of a water rat, and beautifully striped.

The only drawback to the paddling is that the beloved Hector cannot go with us.  He would endanger the safety of the canoe.  One has to sit very still....

June 16, 1868.

MY DEAREST MOTHER,

We sent off the first part of “Kerguelen’s Land” yesterday....  Rex is so much pleased with the story that I am quite in spirits about it, and hope you may think as favourably.  He thinks if you read the end bit before you get the rest you will never like it, and yet I am very anxious to take the chance of the first part’s having gone, as I want a proof—­so if you do not get the first part, please put this by till you do, and don’t read it.

Would it be possible for Wolf to illustrate it?  If he knows the breeding islands of the Albatross he would make a lovely thing of it.  This is the last story.  There will only be a conclusion now.  I have got my “information” from Rex, and “Homes without Hands.”—­The only point I am in doubt about is whether the parent birds would have remained on the island so long—­I mean for months.  Do you know any naturalist who would tell you this?  When they are not breeding they seem to have no home, as they follow ships for weeks.

How we miss Dr. Harvey, and his fidus Achates—­poor old Dr. Fisher!—­I so often want things “looked up”—­and we do lack books here!...

Fredericton.  November 3, 1868.

...  I must tell you what Mrs. Medley said to me this evening as we came out of church.  She said, “It is an odd place to begin in about it, but I must thank you for the end of Mrs. Overtheway.  The pathos of those old Albatrosses!  The Bishop and I cried over them.  I suppose it’s the highest compliment we can pay you to say it is equal to anything of your Mother’s, and that you are a worthy daughter of your Mother.”  Wasn’t that a splendid bit of praise to hear all these miles away from one’s dear old wonderful old Mother?...

To H.K.F.G.

Fredericton N.B. Tuesday, December 8, 1868.