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 8 

Thomas Macky to Catherine Cochrane

Auckland
May 18th, 1849

My dearest Kitty
    Why do you not write to me-- are you so very busy that you can't find so much time? I have now been four months here, nine since I left, but not a line from you. Every mail that arrives I think I'll surely get a letter but always disappointed. If you knew what pleasure I would feel in getting a letter from you I think you would write often. However, I hope the next mail will make up for past neglect, and bring me along a letter from you. God grant that this may find you in the enjoyment of health and happiness.
    I had a letter just the other day from dear Rebecca, kind and affectionate Rebecca, she tells me she is looking better then she did when I left. I trust she will be careful of her health. God grant her many and happy days. You had gone to Belfast and thought it likely you would stop there during the winter. I am glad you went to Ann, poor Ann, she has had her share of trials; many a one would have sunk under the half of them. However, I believe it is true, God fits the back to the burden.
    Dorcas Running was in Carnshanagh, it was well for Rebecca that she had her with her. I believe she is as fat as ever. Mr Donnell had preached the Sunday before. John talks something of him and Dorcas-- how will that do? He says she has got a large fortune but I do not know what Dorcas will think of it. She is a fine girl and I have no doubt would make a very good better half for Mr D. There is nothing else of any importance in their letters. Ireland was still the same way and I suppose will be to the end of the chapter. William Macky was going away and leaving Susan behind. So much for marrying for the sake of some paltry gold.
    There is precious little news in this far distant Isle of the Sea-- we have peace and plenty, no complaints, for thank God there is no reason. I like the place very well and if you were here and I had a nice little cottage I would ask no more, except God's blessing.
    We do not see much company here. We all live happily together-- business is over at half past five o'clock and except an occasional visit to Mr Panton I do not go out anywhere. I have plenty of time to read. One night in the week there are a few of us meet to practise sacred music. We have got on very well and have now got a very good choir in the church. I like Mr Panton very much, he is a plain kind-hearted man-- and a most zealous minister-- his preaching is earnest and simple-- practical sermons. He has got some strange people to deal with, many that care very little about religion at all.
    Not having a minister here until he came out, the people had forgotten their early precepts. You would be surprised at the number of baptisms that take place. Every Sunday we have four or five children baptised, some of them are three or four years old. Our Sabbath school is to commence for the first time tomorrow. I sometimes go to the Wesleyan chapel. There are some new preachers come out lately, one of them, Mr Howe, is a very excellent preacher. They have got a very good chapel and a pretty good attendance. Our new church is not yet completed, it is very slow, but when it is completed it will be a fine one, very large. Perhaps in a short time there may be a second minister required here.
    This is a fine country and a delightful climate. This is now the middle of winter and we have better weather than you have in summer-- quite mild-- everything grows here as well in winter as in summer-- we have perpetual verdure.
    I have written to my father about them all coming out; I think that if they can get the farms sold they will come and I hope God will order all things for our good. James does very excellent business and is making money rapidly. I do not think there are any of his relations so well off. He has got a fine family but all very stirring. I think they get rather too much of their own will, Lizzy, the eldest, is a very smart intelligent little girl, but I think you would think her a little bold. She plays the piano very well and sings charmingly.
    My dear Kitty, should my father and mother come out you will of course come along with them, if not, when I have sufficient earned to pay your passage, (which will be in about six months from this), I will send it. It is better to wait for a short time then to involve ourselves in debt. You cannot be more anxious than I, but a short time will make all the difference.
    I enclose this to Rebecca, not knowing where to find you. Remember me to all enquiring friends. How are Mary Alexander and all our other friends getting on-- I suppose some of them will be married before this reaches you. Rebecca says Jno Cochrane is going on as usual.
    I have now gone as far as I have time. I have not even time to write a single line to Rebecca, the mail is already closed. I will write again shortly but I hope to hear from you first. My dear Kitty, may Almighty God bless you and keep you from all evil is the prayer of

Your loving husband,
Thomas Macky