Taranaki 26 July 1852 My dearest Puss I have duly received four letters from you since I left home and I am delighted to hear that you are in such good health and spirits. I sincerely trust you may continue so and that our separation may not be very long. I am frequently asked out to evening parties and dinners but I have no pleasure in any kind of entertainment without my pet so I have as yet, excepting going occasionally to Capt King and Dr Wilson's, declined all invitations and I confine myself entirely to my duties that they may be soon over and that I may mount my steed and hasten back to Wellington. Mrs Wilson seems very much annoyed that you have