July 18th 1884
Wyddrington
Edgbaston
Birmingham

Dear Mr Chesson,

I shall have seemed fickle telegraphing no lodgings to be taken for me after yesterday telegraphing to secure me suitable ones. But it was because of Mr Spencer’s positive statement that they wd be leaving the end of this month or beginning of August that I felt that in that case I shd be justified in suffering pain if only to secure seeing them wh I always meant to do one way or another. But as they are not departing shortly, it wd be far better that I should not go to London until further on as there would be less risk I hope in 2 or 3 weeks time than now as regards … fatigue. I only hope my telegram was in time to stop Mrs Chesson going Bloomsbury way as it is a very long way off from Chelsea. Mrs Wilson who is so pleased because I have gained considerably in strength by being here was anxious to take me to Kent’s Green on Tuesday because that further change of air … done no further good. I have no other friends with whom to stay who can give me so entirely according to the Dr’s prescription of the never having to move and yet to be out and strong etc.

Therefore to go with them into Worcestershire next Tuesday and afterwards up to London wd be more suitable in every way and make me I hope stronger to bear life in lodgings. Moreover Mrs Austen and several other friends wd be in town then wh wd be pleasant. Two weeks with the maories is that wh I wish to secure. I am so glad that the maori king is writing in the Pall Mall Gazette as such scurrilous inventions deserve open contradiction. I know how occupied you are and not strong wither and I have often recalled your wearied look two years ago and felt for you and for Mrs Chesson who must long that your powers were not so overtaxed. I am grateful for all yr and her kindness. I know how pleasant and considerately courteous maories are and true too, but just as base slanders have been circulated at every other maori who claimed equal rights with Europeans etc so these maories will be spoken against and all the lorrid little newspapers in the colonies will reproduce ridiculous inventions for the London papers. I shall be thinking much of you and the maories when they are seeing Lord Derby, as he is a reserved person he may be the more impressed by these grave taciturn chiefs wh people seem to call Te Wheoro and Patara. Many thanks for yr kind letter and apologies for …

Yrs obliged
C. Weale