(undated copy.) My dear Fisher, The Bishop's schooner sailed for Auckland by the North Cape on Tuesday last, leaving Mr. Govett here, and taking Parris and family round to the College; but as the winds have since been Northerly, she may not reach there till after this mail. But I have, to the best of my recollection, given you all the news I thought of in the letters I sent by Parris, - I shall not at present claim your indulgence to peruse a lengthy scrawl; and just scribble off a few hasty notes that may save me from the imputation of either writing too much or too frequently' as you used to suppose I did, when stopping with me. The Covetts - whom I have called on today for the first time, seem very comforatable. Mrs. Bolland and baby are also quite well; and indeed, I believe there is no illness of any kind in the settlement since the influenza disappeared; which I trust may not again visit us, as it has been, although not dangerous, a most weakening disease; by which I was obliged to confine myself for some days to the same sofa on which you used to lean, or lie down, during your illness, - only with this difference, that its position is now changed to the opposite side of the room, which is considerably enlarged; and several alterations and improvements made since you were here. I wish you were on the other side of the room; we might have an interesting korero with each other; but I guess Mrs. Ashton or William would not desire any accession at one and the same time to the sick list -although the alterations and improvements I have made in the house since you have been here would render it considerably more comfortable to us, and convenient for their attendance on us. I have had a new kitchen built apart from the house; Mrs Ashton's back place knocked down, and substituted by a small porch. I often think that if we could improve the mind, as we can our external objects, we might make very perceptibly advances; but no doubt a mind that is well directed is constantly undergoing considerable improvement, which are necessarily like objects of perception developed at one and the same time. I often think that if the improvement of the mind were as perceptible in its progress as that of external objects, - what a wonderful development we should have of what is now in a great measure obscured from our views; excepting at such times as circumstances call forth the collected energies of the mind; which in some men of peculiar constitutions, demonstrate that a silent but certain improvement has been going on ... But as I set out with