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Hawke's Bay Times, Volume II, Issue 83, 22 January 1863, Page 3

The following letter Isas been picked up, uuaddressed. For the benefit of our European readers, we are tempted to publish it: Napier, January 1, 1863. My dear Augustus,—ln compliance with your often repeated requests for an account of things ns they arc ” in New Zealand, I at last overcome the inertia of my nature and devote myself to writing. I trust you will appreciate the effort, and if you value things in proportion to their rarityi you will be exceedingly entertained. It is not often I am in the literary vein. Dolce far niente. New Zealand, Augustus, is the country above all others in which you can enjoy that great blessing perfectly. There’s nothing to compare to it in the old country except scandal and champagne. “But I’m digressing.” Never do your -

self that which another will do for you, is one of my maxims, and one that’s a good deal put in force here. It beats the old fusty and obsolete sayrngs of that stupid old idiot Dr. Franklin “ by a distance.” Acting, therefore, on the above mentioned commendable principle I beg to enclose for your special information an account of Napier by the pen of Thatcher, Esq., an eminent writer of sacred poetry and metaphysics, and well-known here as a gentleman of exquisite taste, and high classical attainments. His observations bearing upon this locality are exceedingly accurate, and may be implicitly relied upon, always of course allowing for that applaudable modesty and sense of moderation which induces the highly talented rather to lean on the side of detraction than on the opposite extreme. Mr. Thatcher’s local description was rapturously applauded here, an incontestible proof of the profundity of his observations. Enlightened as you now are with a knowledge of Napier— aw revoir Thatcher, et permettez Auguste, que je vows presents mon ami Monsieur ITca Moana ILookl Walker or JVaka. He is a distinguished chief of a distinguished race —the production of the most favored islands in the world—a human gem polished with the impalpable “emery” of the missionary. Compose yourself and be not overcome by his magnificence ; he is modest as he is sublime ; he is a good type of the nation for a nationality ; he is acknowledging no power save of his own kindred blood. And why should he ? Stowell may tell you, and he (Stowell) should know, that the Maori is kind, hospitable, amiable, and intellectual! Nay more, he is religious, forgiving, and tractable, as Sir G. Grey well knows ; scientific, astronomical, numismatical, musical, mathematical, classical, phrenological, grammatical, logical, surgical, geological, medical, and (bless the mark!) diplomatical with a profit. But why exhaust the nomenclature of the sciences. “ What a piece of work is a Maori! How noble in reason! how infinite in faculty! in form and moving how express and admirable! in action how like an angel! in apprehension how like a god ! the beauty of the world ! the paragon of animals!” Augustus, there’s no doubt about it, and it can be proved here in the most incontrovertible manner by the Rev. Mr. Grabfield and others of a paideutical education that when ffm. Shakespeare, Esq., wrote the foregoing passages he was in a clairvoyant state, and tried to describe the virtues of the Maori but could’nt do him justice! The master of the immense power of the English tongue failed to convey to an Englishman or anybody else a perfect delineation of the magnificent aboriginal biped of these enchanting shores. Augustus, you lose a great treat by not knowing the Maori language. It is the only medium by which the nation who speak can be described to you. It is worthy of its speakers. It is soft, euphonius, and gi’aphic. It greatly resembles the Italian in sweetness, evenness, and beauty, but far surpasses it in power. Like that language of song every word ends with a vowel, and every syllable is pronounced. The nicest feelings of refinement and generosity are enchantingly conveyed in this mellifluous language of sentiment and poetry 7 , e.g. „• JE ika ka kino tow hoiho ; kahore te utu, kahore te kai kai. ITaere, kai hohoro. This being interpreted means—“ Gentle stranger, your horse seems hungry, permit him freely to graze. I thank fortune that I can enjoy the luxury of doing a good turn to a horse, not to say a brother man. Increase my happiness by allowing me to serve you : come in yourself and refresh ; to-morrow taku pononga (a sort of valet de chamhre) shall see you safe on your journey, and till then I am your most humble servant, sir! JE JPiripi herea tena hoiho, kia erina nga patina te utu mo ton a kai. Philipus, lead the gentleman’s horse into the stable and make him comfortable, whilst I personally attend to our visitor.” And now, Augustus, nous void, ki roto, (forgive mv barbarism) we are inside the mansion of our kind entertainer. Advancing into the “ reception hall,” we are struck with its magnificence ; an exquisite perfume pervades the apartment ; indeed, the whole physique of the native is redolent of sweet smells—peculiar, indescribable, but very subduing. Our host has introduced his daughter. In imagination you have hitherto been my companion, but the spell is broken and oceans separate us. You cannot hear those beautifully chiselled lips sigh “ Tena koe,” which means “ Is it you Monsieur ? Comme Je suis charmee de vows voir.” Grace, modesty, and beauty (a brunette, it is true) —eyes black, eloquent, and penetrating hair luxuriant, glossy, cultivated with the greatest care and cleanliness, with “ thine incomparable oil Macassor, bought here at a shilling a bottle! She shines before me like a star. Good bye,” Augustus. This enchanting Hebe has “stooped and conquered.” The sable daddy has gone to change his dress. Love at first sight and all that sort of thing—what a lucky devil lam ! Apologise to Euphrosinia for my broken faith. We are all the slaves of circumstances and who can resist a Maori ? This amalgamation is becoming frequent. One of the Maori nobility has demanded the hand of the Civil Commissioner’s* daughter, and the papa of the lady knows too well the excellence of the offer to have any hesitation. The ambrosia and nectar are now preparing by the most beautiful nymphs of Heretaunga. The wedding cake by Helena. The “Agape” on Puketapu. Cartes de visite will accompany my next, and, meanwhile, I am going to Taupo to spend the honeymoon. I remain, my dear Augustus, Benedict Pdmeinhead.

* A Civil Commissioner is a gentleman who travels about amongst the natives for the purpose of being taught political economy for the use of the English Government.