tiful fern. At the sight of this charming lake we were vividly 
reminded of the “Laacher See” near the Rhine. The old cele- 
brated cathedral on the Laacher See is represented here by the 
church and school-house of a deserted Roman Catholic Mission 
Station on the southern side of the lake. 
Towards 2 o’clock we beat the retreat to our camping ground. 
The wind in the meantime had increased to a perfect gale, which 
blew into our faces with full blast from Southwest. On arriving 
at our tents we found our sleeping-tent upset by the storm, and 
the sea went so high, that we could not venture to return in our 
small boat. Fortunately, towards evening two of our acquaintances 
came from Auckland with a cutter, for the purpose of taking us 
back. We embarked behind the North Cape at a place quite pro- 
tected from the wind, and although many a wave dashed over us, 
and our little craft leaned so much on one side, that we appre- 
hended every moment its taking water, our sea-experienced friends 
brought us safely ashore at Auckland after a tiresome three-hour’s 
cruise against the heavy gale. 
Our worthy friend, however, determined to enjoy country life 
with his family, remained despite storm and tempest quietly in his 
tent on the North Shore, and returned the next day to Auckland, 
highly gratified with his short rustication. 
Ilochstetter, New Zealand. 
17 
