since John went down. I do not know what is keeping him. He promised us to be after us on Wednesday before we would get to the river but I have not heard of him since. I do not know what is the cause of this stay. I am very anxious about you. I do not half like your having to go among the natives again after making up your mind to leave for a time however I trust my fears may be groundless and that it is all for the best. John appeared very uneasy while here about his affairs at Christchurch. I am much afraid that John has been living very fast and much beyond his means. Still if all his projects will turn out he may do well enough but never poor fellow as long as his wife keeps in such miserable health. He told me that a £1000 a year did not keep his house. That was fearful expenditure even for a man in your station and rank. I think it was plenty as you must keep a possition up but for a man beginning busness it is far two much. She never had any idair of economy nor yet had he. I think he has too much usless pride about him for that but I do not think he has proper pride about him or he would consider that he had some right to assist his brothers in helping his sisters in place of other people's children. Besides