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The Founders of Canterbury

Reigate, 23rd September, 1849

Reigate, 23rd September, 1849.

My Dear Godley,

—I have your letter, with Adderley's to you: also a noble letter from him, which I shall show to Aglionby, by way of broaching the subject—with which, mind, you have nothing to do.

Seeing how time presses, I made a plunge forward yesterday, by asking Wynter if he would accept if the offer came to him. He was greatly moved. His whole story was, "I am not man enough." "That," said I, "is a question on which page 104others can judge better than you." He was "sure his friends would say he was not the man—not man enough: that would be the opinion of those who knew him well, and were competent judges." Amongst these, in answer to a question, he named Goulburn and the Bishop of Oxford. The latter was Archdeacon of Surrey; and they seem to have been great friends. So you may most properly apply to him. I imagine that if he has nobody in his own eye, so to speak, he will say that Wynter is the man. Would it not be well to get Lord Lyttelton to write to him directly? Considering Oxford's nature, he should be made to understand that there is a strong wish for Wynter: and yet this should be so said as to let his (the Bishop's) good word be of weight. You will understand.

My brother came here last night. He speaks of the climate of Hobart Town in Van Diemen's Land (the very parallel of Akaroa) as most favourable to delicate lungs. He knows several cases of grown men given over in England, who are now in perfect health. He says it is the dryness of the southern hemisphere which is so good—consumption being the rarest of complaints thereabouts. He knew one case of a lady, 70 years of age, who left England with a cruel asthma, and lived in Van Diemen's Land ten years without a trace of the complaint—that is, lived to 80, free from asthma. His account is most satisfactory; for the climate of New Zealand is more like that of Van Diemen's Land than any other, but better, as it is free from the hot winds which sometimes get to Van Diemen's Land from Australia.

Mrs. Adderley is on the point of confinement. That settled, he will devote himself to your good. His letter is charming; sensible, high spirited, and affectionate to the last degree.

Fire away at Oxford. I was delighted with Wynter after three hours' talk.

Ever yours truly,

E. G. Wakefield.

page 105

P.S.—In writing to Oxford, remember that Wynter has the rare, perhaps unique, certainly essential qualification of being filled with the colonizing spirit.