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John Macky to Catherine CochraneCarnshanagh8th October 1851 My very dear Kitty We have been very glad to learn from Joe's note that you arrived safely in London and were able to blister your feet walking since you got there. I always knew you were possessed of considerable energy, and I have now a notion that since you have a specific object on which to direct your energy it will be more continuously maintained and your health and spirits will be much better. I am glad to hear that you have got a berth in the poop since between decks is not comfortable, and I do trust you will have agreeable fellow-passengers, and that your time will not hang heavily on your hands. I think you will do well to keep on deck a good deal, but in the southern latitudes you must be careful to avoid getting yourself wet with rain as I understand it is very noxious, especially if the weather has previously been very warm. I would advise you to have two sets of delph for your cabin as if any casualty should occur you might not get them replaced on board. A tin basin might be a good thing, and you could use it better for your feet. Wearing flannels might be advisable. I would consider a flannel bandage round the lean part of your body as very useful and likely to mitigate the severity of seasickness. Walking on deck on a cool, breezy day, garments on your limbs more closely fitting than petticoats might not be a bad idea. Be sure to sponge your chest with cold water every day, and your whole body at least once a week. I hope you will enjoy yourself while in London. I am sure Joe will do his utmost to make your time pass agreeably. I do wish I was with you, and if it had been the will of God, how much I would have liked that we had been all together in Auckland. God knows if we shall ever meet there. Rebecca appears very anxious for it. She was saying one day that if my father goes in the spring she would like to be along with him. This however, is a vain expectation. We cannot possibly have any better reason for going then than we have now. We are not thinking less of you than we did. I am sure with all of us absence makes the heart grow fonder-- little Maggy going to the stairs to call you down without a soul speaking to her is most affecting-- I did not think I would have felt so much, especially we we have the hope that our separation is not final. Anne has all but taken a house and she intends bringing home the boys, which plan I heartily approve of. They will be much better under her own eye, and I expect she will have sufficient determination to manage them. The house is on the Strand. Aunt May's to be to Mrs Brigham's again. Rebecca will write tomorrow. I enclose the collar and papercutter and Anne will enclose the veil which you forgot. And now my ever dear Kitty, good-bye. May heaven preserve you. May the Lord lift up the light of His countenance upon you and be gracious unto you, and may He mercifully grant that we shall meet again in this world and that our meeting shall be a happy one. All unite in earnest prayers for you and the earnest love of our hearts is with you. Goodbye. Your truly affectionate brother John Macky |