number of crises des nerfs . I wonder if you might encourage her to ride more. Her physician is convinced that fresh air is stimulating to her constitution.’
‘I will be happy to do everything possible to persuade her.’ I paused and looked about me at the shelves of books. ‘She has told me that you speak the Maori language fluently.’
‘Yes, and I have often urged her to take up studying it, but she lacks the interest …’
This is strange, I thought, when Lucy herself has told me quite the opposite.
‘She has always had a facility for languages,’ I said. ‘I might try to convince her to begin.’
‘You’re most thoughtful, but I fear Eliza’s nerves won’t permit close study. It is outdoor exercise that she requires.’
I made to leave.
‘Thank you, Miss Fanny,’ he said. He picked up a paper from his desk. ‘But before you go back to your book, I have something here that I think may be of interest to you. It’s a most original letter from Broughton, one of the Northern chiefs.’
‘He has a very English-sounding name.’
‘That’s his adopted Pakeha name. The Maoris frequently take the names of Europeans they hold in high esteem; many girls have been named Wikitoria after Her Majesty. And the chief at Waikanae, Te Rangitake, has taken the name of William King, which he has translated into Maori as Wiremu Kingi, the name by which he is now always known.’
‘I see.’
‘I believe you will be touched by Broughton Tutukaka’s letter.’
I sat down again.
‘As the chief speaks no English,’ said the Governor, ‘it’s written in Maori and he’s asked me to translate it for him before I send it to the Queen. Let me read it to you first in its original language.’ He cleared his throat, then began to read, and though I did not understand a word of what he uttered, the sound was rolling and very pleasing.
I said as much.
‘You’re right,’ he said. ‘Oratory is the skill the Maoris value most highly and their language has a sonorous beauty. The chiefs all speak fluently and, the better to make their points, they often employ metaphors and humour. Their speeches are extremely lengthy, but, no matter how long he speaks, no one is ever interrupted and no offensive language or insults are permitted among them. I’ve often thought that the Maoris in their assemblies could teach many lessons in courtesy to our colonial parliamentarians.’ He turned back to the letter. ‘And now for the translation.
‘Your Majesty the Queen.
Farewell in your country in London. This is the message for you. Show love to the Maoris of New Zealand. This is the word — “Charity is the greatest of these three”. May God bless us & keep us for ever & ever. God’s love lasts for ever; man cannot erase it. These are all my words to you. And it is signed, Broughton Te Manu Tutukaka.’
‘It’s a very heartfelt message,’ I said, ‘but why is he writing to the Queen?’
‘He considers her a chief equal in rank to himself and it’s the Maori custom for great chiefs to exchange greetings. He’s honouring Her Majesty.’
‘And will you send it to the Queen?’
‘I must. I have promised to do so.’
LYME REGIS, 1832
Wishing more than anything for Mama to return to her old ways and for us to be happy again, I concocted spells for Papa’s safe return. One morning, as I sat in my cave of blossom whispering an incantation to bring him home, I heard Ellen calling me.
‘Ye’re to go a-visiting with ye mither,’ she said as I slipped from the tree to the kitchen. ‘Ye’re to wear ye Sunday best.’
My heart leapt. This was the first times in many, many months that Mama had paid a call. ‘But where are we going?’
‘Thinks ye I ha’ the knowing of it?’
‘We are going to Cobb House,’ said Mama, coming into the kitchen, ‘to see Captain Spencer and his lady. He’s an old naval acquaintance of your papa and they have nine children, so you will have no shortage of
‘I will be happy to do everything possible to persuade her.’ I paused and looked about me at the shelves of books. ‘She has told me that you speak the Maori language fluently.’
‘Yes, and I have often urged her to take up studying it, but she lacks the interest …’
This is strange, I thought, when Lucy herself has told me quite the opposite.
‘She has always had a facility for languages,’ I said. ‘I might try to convince her to begin.’
‘You’re most thoughtful, but I fear Eliza’s nerves won’t permit close study. It is outdoor exercise that she requires.’
I made to leave.
‘Thank you, Miss Fanny,’ he said. He picked up a paper from his desk. ‘But before you go back to your book, I have something here that I think may be of interest to you. It’s a most original letter from Broughton, one of the Northern chiefs.’
‘He has a very English-sounding name.’
‘That’s his adopted Pakeha name. The Maoris frequently take the names of Europeans they hold in high esteem; many girls have been named Wikitoria after Her Majesty. And the chief at Waikanae, Te Rangitake, has taken the name of William King, which he has translated into Maori as Wiremu Kingi, the name by which he is now always known.’
‘I see.’
‘I believe you will be touched by Broughton Tutukaka’s letter.’
I sat down again.
‘As the chief speaks no English,’ said the Governor, ‘it’s written in Maori and he’s asked me to translate it for him before I send it to the Queen. Let me read it to you first in its original language.’ He cleared his throat, then began to read, and though I did not understand a word of what he uttered, the sound was rolling and very pleasing.
I said as much.
‘You’re right,’ he said. ‘Oratory is the skill the Maoris value most highly and their language has a sonorous beauty. The chiefs all speak fluently and, the better to make their points, they often employ metaphors and humour. Their speeches are extremely lengthy, but, no matter how long he speaks, no one is ever interrupted and no offensive language or insults are permitted among them. I’ve often thought that the Maoris in their assemblies could teach many lessons in courtesy to our colonial parliamentarians.’ He turned back to the letter. ‘And now for the translation.
‘Your Majesty the Queen.
Farewell in your country in London. This is the message for you. Show love to the Maoris of New Zealand. This is the word — “Charity is the greatest of these three”. May God bless us & keep us for ever & ever. God’s love lasts for ever; man cannot erase it. These are all my words to you. And it is signed, Broughton Te Manu Tutukaka.’
‘It’s a very heartfelt message,’ I said, ‘but why is he writing to the Queen?’
‘He considers her a chief equal in rank to himself and it’s the Maori custom for great chiefs to exchange greetings. He’s honouring Her Majesty.’
‘And will you send it to the Queen?’
‘I must. I have promised to do so.’
LYME REGIS, 1832
Wishing more than anything for Mama to return to her old ways and for us to be happy again, I concocted spells for Papa’s safe return. One morning, as I sat in my cave of blossom whispering an incantation to bring him home, I heard Ellen calling me.
‘Ye’re to go a-visiting with ye mither,’ she said as I slipped from the tree to the kitchen. ‘Ye’re to wear ye Sunday best.’
My heart leapt. This was the first times in many, many months that Mama had paid a call. ‘But where are we going?’
‘Thinks ye I ha’ the knowing of it?’
‘We are going to Cobb House,’ said Mama, coming into the kitchen, ‘to see Captain Spencer and his lady. He’s an old naval acquaintance of your papa and they have nine children, so you will have no shortage of
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