them second-hand from a large library, so I hope to receive a good
boxful. The club consists of twenty-eight members now, and will
probably amount to thirty-two, which is wonderful for this district.
At the close of a year from the first distribution of the books they
are to be divided into lots as near as possible in value to a pound
each, the parcels to be numbered, and corresponding figures written
on slips of paper, which are to be shaken up in a hat and drawn at
random, each member claiming the parcel of which the number answers
to that on his ticket. This is the fairest way I can think of for
the distribution, and every one seems satisfied with the scheme.
The most popular books are those of travel or adventure; unless a
novel is really very good indeed, they do not care about it.

The last little item of home news with which I must close this
month's budget is, that F--- has been away for a few days on a
skating excursion. A rather distant neighbour of ours called on his
way up to the station far back among the hills, and gave such a
glowing account of the condition of the ice in that part of the
country, that F---, who is very fond of the amusement, was persuaded
to accompany him. Our friend is the son of the Bishop, and owns a
large station about twenty-six miles from this. At the back of his
run the hills rise to a great height, and nestled among them lie a
chain of lakes, after the largest of which (Lake Coleridge) Mr. H---
's station is named. On one of the smaller lakes, called by the
classical name of "Ida," the ice attains to a great thickness; for
it is surrounded by such lofty hills that during the winter months
the sun hardly touches it, and it is commonly reported that a
heavily-laden bullock-dray could cross it in perfect safety. F---
was away nearly a week, and appears to have enjoyed himself
thoroughly, though it will seem to you more of hard work than