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Mind Pictures.
Dear "Virgilia,"-At last I have plucked
. up sufficient courage to write to you. I
intended to long ago, but I am such a
poor hand at letter writing, and some of
your readers write such interesting let-
ters. The words seem to flow so freely
from their pens. As you can see from
the sketch enclosed, I am not much of
an artist. However, I draw better than
hubby at that. His are indistinguishable
altogether. It is a gift I'd love to pos-
sess-also to be able to sing-and I can
do neither. Altogether, you see I'm not
much of a person.
I read all the letters with great interest,
and some of the letters are so natural
one can just picture the writers. I have
formed mind pictures of most of them,
but sometimes I think if I were to see
them I may be disappointed. Even you,
"Virgilia," are pictured in my mind. One
reader (can't remember her name-have
a terrible memory) says that she thought
you were "Non-Com.'s" wife, but I think
you are his daughter-with brown eyes,
short and very slight. Am I right?
We are having very cold, wet weather.
I think we must be getting the wheat
farmers' portion of the rain, as we must
already have had over the average rain-
fall. One could put up with that if it
were not quite so cold.
My eldest little one has two miles to
walk to school. I take her part of the
way in the morning, and meet her again
in the afternoon. I worry so. Sometimes
I think it would be better to teach her at
home, but it would make extra work, and
I have to help with the milking night
and morning.
We are on a dairy farm about six miles
from town. I do not go into town much.
It is such" a bustle to get ready, and a
lush home again-everyone is tired, and
the cows are waiting to be milked. We
have neighbours fairly close, but it is
nearly as much bother to visit them.
However, I find plenty to keep me busy
at home, as we have a nice flower and
vegetable garden, although the flower
garden is not as nice as usual. I have
not been able to give it so much attention
as the vegetables are more profitable.
Cheerio for the present. - "RAMBLER
ROSE."
[Welcome to the Comer, "Rambler
Rose." My goodness! If your mind
pictures of the other Virgilians are as
far out as the one you have of me, well
-you've got us all wrong! No. I'm not
even "Non-Com.'s" daughter. However
your idea of me exactly describes "Mrs.
Non-Com."-so you rightly imagined the
family likeness, but not the relationship.
It's certainly upsetting when my very own
Virgilians show their anxiety to glorify
me by trying to thrust me into the
family of the leader of the opposition.
"Virgilia."]
Yellow Everlastings.
Dear "Virgilia,"-Here I am writing to
you for the first tune, and I hope that you
will accept me as one of your Cornerites.
It has taken me a few weeks to pluck up
the courage to do so, but now I have
started there is no turning back. We
have been taking "The Western Mail" for
nearly four years now, but never has it
been more interesting than it is at pre-
sent. I think the Friendly Corner is
simply beautiful, and the letters written
there each week are so friendly and help-
ful, I think, particularly so for the people
living ba the country, and I am one of
those.
My hubby is a railway man, and we
live at a little siding, which is twelve
miles from the nearest township. We
have been living in the country for near-
ly four years now, and, although I some-
times feel lonely, I wouldn't like to go
back to the town to live. The country is
looking very nice just now, with the
crops showing green and the gardens be- ¡
ginning to look fresh. In a little while
we will have the everlastings, which
cover the siding and make it look like a
great yellow carpet. We send "The
Western Mail" and "The Broadcaster"
home to Wales every week, and they
look forward to them and enjoy them as
much as we do, and on a few occasions
"The Western Mail" has been used at
the local school there.
Every Friday morning I hurry to get
my work done, and at 9 o'clock my little
boy, aged 4 years, goes to the post office
for "The Western Mail" and "The
Broadcaster," and I am afraid there is
nothing more done until lunch tune, as
I just sit and get all the letters read. I
have given myself a Welsh pen-name,
and I am wondering if there is another
Cornerite from Wales who would write
to me? Next time I write I will tell you
of my idea of Australia before coming
to it and what I found when I arrived
here. The best of luck and wishes to
yourself and the Corner and all Vir-
gilians.-"CUM RHONDDA."
[A very warm welcome to the Virgllian
family, "Cum Rhondda"! Your arrival
will stem the advance of the Scotch!
We'll all be most interested in the ideas
you had of our country, and us, before
you ventured to leave your home in
Wales and come and see for yourself that
we really are civilised!. The fact that we
are surprises lots of people.-"Virgilia."]
A Distracting Broadcast.
Dear "Virgilia,"-I have to thank you
for forwarding a letter from "Popsy."
She wrote me such a nice letter and I
feel very guilty because I have not yet
answered it. If she is a farmer's wife
I daresay she will understand though.
What a splendid idea the friendly service
is! I am sure lt will be most popular. I
would very much like some rose cut-
tings, if any Virgllian could send me
some I will willingly send postage.
My little girl came In and told me
she saw your photograph in last week's
"Western Mail"-lt does not reach me
until next week, so X will have to
possess my soul in patience.
I am meditating a raid on your dea
when X go to Perth-so if you are not
out bargain hunting again X will see
you then. Did I read that you are sum-
ming and could not bear even the sight
of cream? I would hate to hurt your
feelings-of course you could pass it on
to "Non-Com."!! I am sure he does not
give his waist line a thought!
I am going to try the southern cake
recipe sent in by "Swastika." I hope it
tums out nicely as it. seems a useful
sort of cake. I am afraid it will not keep
for three months though, or even three
weeks-my three are tigers for cake! The
only one I have ever made that lasted
any time was one I made with whole
meal and milk and baked very brown for
the dog!!
I did enjoy "Bush Brumby's" letter.
He seems to be rather cut off from the
world-without either paper or wireless.
I always think that anyone who can
write such a letter can never feel lonely
-there was certainly no trace of it iii
his jolly letter.
' I must fade-out now. I am afraid this
is a rather uninteresting epistle, but
there has been a most distracting-broad
cast going on which has made it difficult
to concentrate. Cheerio everybody.
"BROWN BESS."
[My goodness, "Brown Bess," please
don't make mistakes of that sort! You
certainly did not read anywhere that I
was slimming-neither is "Peggy," un-
fortunately for me! I've firmly resolved
that any future off-siders are going to
be lovely and plump, and on a strict
diet. Anyway we're delighted to hear of
your contemplated visit to our den. Have
you seen that photograph yet? Was it
worth waiting for?-"Virgilia."]
Planting Bulbs.
Dear "Virgilia,"-I was thrilled when
I received all those seeds and bulbs you
sent me, and had a day in the garden.
I have written "The Old Contemptible"
a note of thanks for sending that lovely
parcel of plants, but just in case he
doesn't receive it, please thank him for
me should you see him. Thank you
"Wayback" for the bulbs and "Nil Des-
perandum" for the "Japanese Lantern"
and seven-year bean seeds. I did enjoy
reading your letter this week, and I
was wondering when to plant the "Jap-
anese Lantern" seed, as I had looked
through my flower catalogues and
couldn't eee it mentioned. I enjoyed
reading "Tilly's" letter-she must be a
trick, I think. What a nice picture
"Beth" painted in her letter. We all en-
joyed it very much as we had three
weeks' holiday touring through all the
tall timber and the mills a few years
back, and we took some lovely snaps of
the timber. Glad to see "Grandmother"
is writing again; I love her letters-in
fact, all the letters are lovely. Afraid I
will not be able to come down at Show
time, much as I would like to, but we
have to wait until after harvest for our
holiday, but you will tell us all about it,
won't you "Virgilia." Now I must draw
this scribble to an end, enclosing 1/ in
stamps for the Silver Chain. Thank
you for refunding the money before, but
I intended you to pass it on to the Sil-
ver Chain. It is tea-time so I must close.
-"CHIRPY."
[I'm delighted you received such plea-
sure from the seeds and bulbs "Chirpy,"
and I hope many blooms reward your ef-
forts in the garden. Many thanks for
the contribution to the Silver Chain.
"Virgilia."]
Fond of Knitting.
Dear "Virgilia,"-I expect you have
quite forgotten my humble self, as my
first attempt was just a note enclosed
with a few wanted recipes.
How the Corner has grown! But no
wonder when it is all so interesting, every
letter being quite different. You will
have to "show your claws" a bit "Vir-
gilia," as I notice "Non-Com" taking
your name in vain and telling a youth-
ful Highwayman to name a pet cat after
you! The "good man" had a laugh over
that bit, evidently it amused him. What
peculiar things amuse mere men!
I did love "Susan's" letter of remem-
brance, and "Wheat Ears' " letter was
most interesting, too. What a happy smile
Doug, wears. Your office staff must be
very happy if you all look as happy
as he does.
We are having lovely weather now
after the rains, and there is just enough
nip in the air to keep one from getting
too lazy. I can enjoy sitting in the sun
with my knitting these days. Am very
fond of knitting and have done a lot this
winter.
Like all those other Virgilians, my gar-
den is very backward, but by springtime
we will have forgotten the dry spell and
our gardens will be beautiful again. I
really must away, as all the dinner is
cooked and the hungry family will be
here any minute. Kind regards from
"TOMMY."
[It was nice to hear from you again
"Tommy." I haven't any need to worry
over "Non Com's" advice to the High-
wayman to name his cat after me, be-
cause he regards such christenings as an
honour-he has pigs and all sorts of
things named after him!-"Virgilia."]
The Call of the Hills.
Dear "Virgilia,"-Here is yet another
wanting to join your jolly band. I, too,
am a bird and flower lover, and the "call
of the hills" is very strong this glorious
weather.
I am from the wheatbelt, although I
lived in the hills for a few years, and
have to travel a fair way for flowers.
Owing to the late and scanty rainfall
this year, the flowers will be more scarce
than usual, I guess. I have no hope of a
collection for the wild-flower exhibí-,
tion.
My sympathies are with "Jimmy Mug-
gins" regarding the cows. I've had the
same trouble, only I hope she can aim
straight-I can't.
Must away, as methinks I smell bread
burning.-'"Skeet." j
[Welcome to the happy band, "Skeet."
I'm sure the dearth of wild flowers this
year will be a disappointment to many.
It's surprising to find the exhibition has
such widespread Interest. I hope you've i
rescued your bread in tune.--*'Virgllia."j
Xîfe is a-n Adventure.
Dear L'Vlrgilia,"-Week after week
have I been longing to write to try to
tell you a little of the pleasure and ap-
preciation your page has given to just
another of your readers who is battling
along.
What a response there has been to
your first tentative message of sympathy,
inviting women in the country and ouc
back to correspond and so form the pre-
sent warm-hearted Friendly Corner. How
every letter, too, brings its own individual
expression of their wonderful spirit of
steadfastness and courage. Arid, when
all is said and done, there is so much
to be got out of life anywhere and every-
where if we can face it always as a
great adventure! Full of ups and downs,
sorrows and laughter living it-not
merely existing-helping each other, and
being helped as the journey goes along.
It would be Interesting to know cf
"Teach-em's" activities. I wonder if >vo
should recognise our baby rhino stam-
peding down the Terrace to your party
if it should happen to be in the August
holidays! She would add a zest to the
affair, and gentle "Beth" would soothe us
down. As this is really only a little
"thank you" letter, I must not trespass
too much. Anyhow "Non-Com." came
down very firmly this week, so our Cor-
ner will probably in future seem like a
Jack-in-the-Box-all suppressed into
the smallest possible space, but very
much all there and ready to spring out.
Forsooth it will just about take "Non
Com." and his whole army to sit on the
box to keep the lid on! So keep smiling!
-"WAYFARER."
A Highwayman chap is "Non-Com."
And the Red Page is where he comes
from.
But Roamin' Around
He may often be found
On "Vngilia's" Page with a bom-bom!
-"W."
[Welcome to the Corner "Wayfarer"!
Your appreciation of our letters, and your
cheery message to all, mark you as a
Virgllian from henceforth, so I hope
we'll be seeing you at the party.-"Vir-
gilia."]
Cane Cutting.
Dear "Virgilia,"-I have been reading
the letters in "The Western Mail" ever
since they started with great interest, and
thought I would like to join your corner
as a Virgilian.
My husband is a ferryman on the
Clarence River, on the far north coast of
New South Wales, just about 200 miles
from Brisbane. The farmers around here
are nearly all cane growers; and now this
is their busy time. The Harwood mill is
about seven miles from where we live, and
it is now busy crushing cane. It is very
interesting for those who have never seen
the cane cut and taken away in the big
punt; then taken away by the different j
launches.
My mother lives in Western Australia.
I came from South Australia, but I mar-
ried a New South Wales man, and have
been on this job now four and a half
years. He was a fisherman before that at
a place called Iluka. You may have heard
of it. I have two small boys that keep me
busy. We live right on the river bank,
and I am always on the lookout to see if
they are near the water. We have a small
vegetable garden, and a still smaller
flower garden. The house is built right
alongside the road, so the little I have has
to be fenced in to keep the cattle out, and
we have to go carefully with the water.
X have taken some snaps of the cane
cutters, so, if they should turn out all
right, I will send you one. "The Western
Mail" is always two weeks old when we
get it, but, for all that, we look forward
to it. Hubby never misses the "Digger's
Diary." He reads it with great interest,
and the boy always looks for the coloured
picture.
I am sending you a few papaw pump-
kin seeds. They are very nice as a vege-
table. The skin ls yellow when ripe. I
am afraid my letter will be small along-
side some of the other letters, but hope to
be able to tell you more about the place
next time I write.-FERRYMAN'S
WIFE.
P.S.-Nearly all your readers seem to be
women who like the country, but I can't
say that I do. I love the city, but, of
course, one has to be contented where one
is earning one's living. I have only been
over ba New South Wales eight years.
F.W.
[Welcome to the Corner, 'Ferryman's
Wife." It was very interesting hearing
from someone whose surroundings are so
very different from our own, and I hope
those snaps turned out well, as I'd love to
use one oa ibe page. Many thanks for
offering to send the papaw pumpkin
seeds. I'm sure many readers would love
to try growing them.-''Virgilia."]
Swamp Lands.
Dear "Virgilia,"-I expect you will say
l am writing out of my turn, but I must
write and say thank you for the casserole
recipes. Thanks "Twinkle-Toes," you
did send a nice lot. I have tried one,
and it was very nice. The others will be
used in due course.
We had a good laugh over "Jay's" let-
ter. I am pleased to see "Fab", Fat and j
Firty" is in a house now, although she
seems the sort that makes light of hard-
ships. I
Several "Virgilians" are troubled with
red-mite. We are here, too, but they can
be kept down with frequent sprayings of
weak phenyle. Another good idea is to
encourage the little greenies round the 1
place. I mean those little birds that are
so fond of grapes and other fruit. They
will hop about on the grass and devour
the red-mite.
Another bird that is a good friend to
the fanner is the blue pigeon. They are
very fond of the green tomato bug.
Perhaps some of our wheatbelt friends
would like to hear about our swamp j
lands. This is country out towards the
coast from here, just a couple of miles
out from the Bunbury line, and under
water all the winter. As the summer ad-
vances the swamps dry up, and as soon
as it is dry enough to get the horses on,
it is planted. Potatoes are the main
crops, but we plant a lot of peas, cab-
bage, cauliflowers, and root vegetables.
There are hardly any weeds come up so
very little attention is given until things
are ready to pick. It is lovely to see
everything nice and green in the swamps
when all the fields are dry. As the rain
comes again, the swamps fill up with
water, till everything is flooded-but
usually everything is out by that time.
A few cabbages and late cauliflowers do
not matter.
I have been doing some gardening this
week. I like chrysanthemums but I had
hardly a bloom this year, as my Miss
One-and-a-half went round and picked
all the buds off.-JUDY CALLAGHAN.
[Thanks "Judy Callaghan," for your
little chat about the swamp lands. I'm
sure it will be much appreciated by our
wheatbelt readers. I hope you have bet-
ter luck with the chrysanthemums next
year!-"Virgilia."]
Wattle Seeds.
Dear "Virgilia,"-Every week the Cor-
ner grows more interesting, and I long to
be one of that ever-increasing Virgilian
army; so please have you room for "Gol-
den Wattle?"
The wattles are all in bloom in this par-
ticular spot, and they make a lovely sight.
Later, when they go to seed I will save
some, so that, if any Virgilians care for
any, there will be plenty.
How I'd love to be at that party in Oc-
tober, but I expect I shall be one of those
who will enjoy the accounts, and, I hope,
pictures of it, in "The Western Mail"
afterwards. We shall be quite disap-
pointed if "Grandmother," "Wheat Ears,"
"Willing to Help," "Viking," etc., and,
last, by by no means least, yourself, are
not gracing our pages. Of course, "Peggy"
and "Non-Com." must be photographed,
too. What a rush there will be for "The ;
Western Mail" that week!
What a busy mother "Fleurette" must]
be with eight children-and she still found I
time to write to the Corner! I am sure
tins Friendly Corner has a particular ap-
peal to any rather shy Virgilians, who do
net go out and make friends personally.'
I feel like "Just a Pommy" in the way
that I would rather know one person
really well than say "How do you do?" to
a number.
I imagined I could only write two or
thiee lines, but, see how my pen has run
away with mel Best wishes to all.
GOLDEN WATTLE.
[We are delighted to reserve a place for
you in the family circle, "Golden Wattle,"
and regret that your prospects of attend-
ing the party are so remote. However, a
full account of the proceedings will be
published in "The . Western Mail." Many
thanks for the offer of wattle seeds later
on.-"Virgilia."]
A Virgilian's Favourite Books. 1
Dear "Peggy."-Did I hear you say,
letters!!! Now you've done it! There will
be a special post-bag for you now.
Have you ever read that charming chil-
dren's book, "Wind in the Willows," by
Kenneth Graham. To quote a review:
"A book of youth and those who keep the
spirit of youth alive in them; of life,
sunshine, running water, woodlands,
dusty roads and winter fireside" . . . The
chief characters are Mr. Mole, Mr. Rat
(not an ordinary rat, but a nice clean
water rat), Mr. Badger and Mr. Toad, of
Toad Hall.
Elinor Mordaunt writes the most de-
lightful travel books. The "Venture
Books" describes in a wonderful way her
travels through the Islands; she passes
through Port Moresby, Papua; she sees
the stone tombs of Soemba, visits the
Sultan of Bima, is present at a wedding
in Celebes, describes Timor Deli-on, on
till she reaches Dutch New Guinea. Then
read her "Purely for Pleasure"-a plea-
sure indeed! Then try this masterpiece
-"The Fortunes of Richard Mahoney"
by the Australian author Henry Handel
Richardson, described as "a truly great
performance . . . not merely a work of
genius, it is a work of genius assured and
triumphant." It is a book you must
read and read and at long last put away
with a sigh of disappointment that it has
ended.
Books are everything to the "bushwo
man"-they bring the whole world to the
fireside. There are variety and beauty
in "San Michele," "The Road to Kash-
mir" and in Walter Wilkinson's delight-
ful and fascinating travels through Eng-
land with his puppet show.
"Peggy," my dear, I must away. Hungry
men must be fed. Time between jobs is
short-please excuse my ramble.-Best
wishes from-"Puck."
[There are only two books in all you
mention that I've read, "Puck", and
those are "The Story of "San Michele"
and Walter Wilkinson's puppet show trav-
els. It's amazing, isn't it, that however
much one reads there is always so much
left unread! "San Michele" I regard as
one of the most wonderful books the
world has yet produced, romantic, rea-
listic, pitiful and enchanting, the record
of a citadel of the soul."-"Peggy."]
Bang!
Dear "Virgilia,"-This is my first at-
tempt at writing to you, so I sincerely
hope you will include me among your
Friendly Corner folk. AH the letters have
been very interesting. It gives us an idea
of what the different parts of the country
are like, as we are not all able to travel
and see for ourselves.
It has been raining here since yester-
day morning, and is just lovely, as it was
so badly needed; and I hope that everyone
is getting some of it, too
I like the letters from the "other side."
They are really good, but it just shows
that they cannot help having their say,
too. I am not so much in the outback
as a lot of the others are, as I live quite
close to the main road, and there are cars
passing all day-all sorts and sizes. Be-
sides, there is always a traveller calling in
trying to sell something, or some of the
motorists stuck on the road quite often
come in for water. "Please, the radiator
is dry," or "we have run out of petrol;
could you let us have enough to get to the
town?" Then, again, it is, "Our lights
have fused; could we borrow a lantern?"
"Letitia" is some shot with that gun
of hers. A crow is my limit. One of my
brothers got me to shoot out of a double
barrelled shot-gun once, and, when I
pulled the trigger, bang I went one way
and the gun the other! It kicked me over
so nicely. Needless to say, I had a nice
bruise on my arm for a good while after.
QUO VADIS.
[Welcome to the Corner, "Quo Vadis."
I had no idea that life on a main road
was so interesting. I guess "Letitia" will
get quite a kick out of the account of
your experience with the shot-gun.-"Vir-
gilia."]

A'Honeymoon Trip (Continued)

Dear "Vírglliá,"-Mnay thanks for the
kindly reception my last letter received.
I was a bit afraid it might not be as
interesting to others as it was to us. Was
also quite pleased that "Peggy" has
introduced ? me" to all other virgllians.
As a matter of fact, "Peggy," you raced
me to the job, as X intenaed making it
the subject for a future letter. I endorse
your remarks that Milne's "Pooh" books
should be in every home, and am de-
lighted to see the price is down. "Tales
of Pooh" adorn my bookshelf, being a
collection of stories from "Winnie-the
Pooh." "The House that Pooh Built,"
and, I think, "When We Were Very
young." The illustrations alone are
.wonderful. I have owned the nickname
of "Winnie-the-Pooh" for over four
years, and it was quite amusing to see
the looks on the faces of the passers-by
when a friend would hail me in Perth
"Hallo, Pooh."

But now to start up the "bus" at
"Wonnerup. It is Saturday morning,
9 a.m. and we are on the road to Bus-
selton. Here we had a look around
down to the beach and the longest jetty
(li miles) in the State. Then a visit
to the historic church, a stone's throw
?from the Vasse River. It was built in
1843, and is the oldest stone church in
the State. Names of Bussells of "Cattle
Chosen," and Brockmans, and other early
settlers are in evidence; within, on tab-
lets; without, on the head-stones of the
graves in the adjoining graveyard.

But time warned us to be off, so off
we set and headed for Cape Naturaliste,
passing over Group Settlement drains on
their way to the ocean. Arriving at the
Cape, we just wandered round, but did
not have the necessary permission to go
within the lighthouse bounds. Back to

our road again, tms other having been i
a deviation, and on through Yallingup 1
and down the coast road to Margaret.
The coast road is now rarely usea, uie
main road from Busselton to Margaret
being more direct. As a result, we found
the road very rough and nearly landed
in a watercourse once when the bridge
over which we crossed the water was
practically broken down. However, we
reached Margaret safely and were on
the main road, so our speed became
easier. Thus we got to Kudardup, hav-
ing passed many Group Settlement hold-
ings, and much scrub and virgm coun-
try. We made a stay of three days at
Kudardup with relatives, going from
there for various excursions in the neigh-
bourhood. We went down through
Augusta to Flinders Bay, where the
Blackwood River enters the sea, and
roamed about both in the Bay and along
the river. The jetty that served the dis-
trict for many, many years, met its doom
in a violent storm last Christmas, and
there are piles scattered along the coast,
and some have even been found up the
river, having had to cross the bar. Look-
ing back on Augusta from near the river's
mouth makes a very pretty picture. An-
other excursion was to Cape Leeuwin,
where we had permission to see over the
lighthouse. It is a huge edifice, built in
1395, the stone walls being about two
feet thick, pierced here and there by
small windows. The light itself is about
100 feet from the ground, and as the

lounqations are sa feet above sea level,
it seems as if one is up in the clouds
?when up at the top. We mounted by.
means of very steep, spiral stairs, 195 all
told (the descent was worse) and found
ourselves in a small, circular, glass
enclosed room, with a platform running
round the wall. Of course, the chief
feature is the two very large reflector
which occupy nearly all the space. They
are entirely composed of glass, and they
revolve round the three mantles that
supply the light, worked on kerosene and
air m much the same way as petrol lamps
work. They are circular and would oe
about nine feet across, probably; the
central "eye" is solid glass with the rest
of the convex circle made up of slats of
glass, also solid. The light can be seen
for 12 miles. The coast is very rocky
with many rocks out to sea, over which
the surf continually breaks. It was a
mild day that day: on a windy day the
lighthouse can be felt to sway. We
walked out on the balcony and took
snaps, and I felt much happier there
than tossing on a boat round the Cape.
While at the Cape we visited the water
wheel; an ancient structure, which
pumps the fresh water from a stream
uphill half a mile to the three houses.
Xt, too, was most interesting.

We have dallied long enough in the
delightful south-west corner of our State
and must take to the road again. This
time we are off to "Bush Mother's" town
of Nannup, where we spent the night
with friends who live rignt on the edge
of the Blackwood River. It is a favourite
place of mine for holidays. Next day,
we said our farewells and headed for
Bridgetown. It was a wonderful drive,
by far the most wonderful of our whole
trip. Huge trees on either side, hills,
valleys, glimpses ahead, and then, cleared
land, farms, and the Blackwood River
as we got nearer to Bridgetown. But
space forbids too many deviations. Past
Bridgetown, we followed the main road
through Greenbushes, Balingup and on
to Donnybrook, then east to Muradup
with a turn north to Collie. We were
much surprised to find such a big, well
laid out town, but rain spoiled a good
look round. That night we camped out
under big trees and ate fried sausages,
the appetising aroma of which vied with
the smell from outside of wood and gum
leaves smoking. On next day and over
the Darling Ranges with views far-reach-
ing and pretty, to Brunswick Junction
again. We now covered our old tracks
again as far as Pinjarra, turning west
at the latter place and so reaching Man-
durah. Our road now skirted Peel Estate,
and "Wheat Ears," we saw your lovely
little seahills and you described them so
well. We soon reached the suburbs of
Fremantle, if Hamilton Hill and Spear-
wood won't mind being tacked on to Fre-
mantle, into Fremantle, via South Beach
and Marine-terrace and back to Perth
along the river. We were not long then
reaching our "wee hoose" at Kalamunda,
where we slept for the remainder of our
stay, being otherwise in and round town,

If I haven't wearied you, "Virgilia,"
br Sister Virgilians, and you Would like
to come touring with me again, I will take
you with me on others of my tours of
the past. Unlike two "Virgilians" who
have globe-trotted, my trottings have
been confined to Australia, but have
always provided me with much pleasure.
Some of that I could pass on should you
* care to share it with me.

Have quite out-stayed my welcome this

time, I'm sure, so will have to leave un-
said many remalles I wanted to make,
and say "Cheerio" everyone.-"Winnie
the-Pooh,** Nalkain.

LI was horrified to see the date on
your letter "Winnie-the-Pooh"-I'd no
idea it had been so long awaiting inser-
tion in these columns. Lately I've been
endeavouring to work in as many new-
comers' letters as possible and conse-
quently have had to seem a little neglect-
ful of old" friends-but I'm sure they'll
be very forgiving and understanding. In
proof of the interest taken in the first
instalment of your honeymoon trip seve-
ral Virgilians who have visited us have
mentioned it and asked if the second
instalment had come to hand as they
were anxious to read it-so you needn't
worry about the length of this letter. I'm
also sure everyone will be delighted to
hear of your previous holidays-personally
I'm keen on hearing your impressions of
Queensland as it's a place I'm very par-
tial to.-"Virgilia."]

Not Built for Speed.

Dear "Virgilia,"-I'm here again-even
though there is still knitting and sewing
to be done on all sides. I started letter
writing tonight, so thought I would make
a night of it, even though I have seve-
ral cut fingers, and the fire is nearly out.
Since I last wrote, the lads and I have
conquered the front yard, and now have
an orderly array of seedlings where be-
fore was a mass of weeds and hidden
stones. We also have enlarged the vege-
table garden and have quite an assort-
ment of seeds in. But we could do with
a fortnight of fine weather-even the oats
would appreciate that, and they are doing
very well under these conditions.

By the way, "Virgilia," I see "Dairy
Maid" has ideas of taking you for a drive.
I sincerely hope the road is better than
ours. We, the lads and I, went to town
a week or so ago. It was a beautiful
morning, with only about 4J miles to go.
We left home and bumped and jolted
and lurched over the first mile and a
half in fine style, nearly going out off
and on, trying to save the young fellows
from too many bumps and collecting
myself. The good road was reached, but
still we just jogged along. You see, our
steed was originally built for utility, not
speed, and the little speed she ever had
has just about vanished. We arrived in
town about an hour and a hah! after
leaving home; had a gossip to the grocer,
butcher, baker and candle-stick maker
(I think that was all) and set out for
home again, and the thoughts of lunch
and tired kids, etc. However, every-
thing went well until THE road began.
Tired "kids" tried to sleep and received
many bumpings but we all arrived home,
including the purchases, and there were
the barking dog, smiling Man and boiling
kettle. All the gossip followed, talk of
"Booshoo" (train), cars, ladies, etc., and
the road. Now you will not wonder at
my going to town so seldom, and having
110 lady visitors! It gets lonely and seems
far away at times, but there are always
odd jobs, lads, fowls, garden and the

Man. so we set over all that.

: This is just a ramble to let off steam,
! so if you are rushed for time, sit on it for

a while. There are about a dozen orange
trees on this place (it is not our own, WE
just manage it), and the fruit is just
ripening. Of course, we all like them,
and there are such large ones on some
of the trees. There is supposed to be an
orchard, but the other trees have been
neglected and are nothing but a mass of
suckers. We have promised them a trim-
ming, but that is as far as things have

gone.

Our fowls are beginning to lay well
now, and I have even saved enough eggs
to set a hen. They are supposed to be a
batch of Rhode Islands, but at present
are a mixed lot, although the R.I.'s have
a good majority. They are a pretty bird,
and so far have laid well and make good
table birds, especially the young cockerels
fried with plenty of onions. The only
part I do not like is the cleaning, but
that is a detail.

Well, it is almost ten o* the cuckoo
clock, so I must to bed. But I would
like to tell "Peggy" that I should have
liked her notes on Byron and Shelley
when I was at Secondary School. We
studied those two among others, and it
was part of the work I really enjoyed
literature, poetry, and the old writers
such as Dickens, Scott and Shakespeare.
I have not read much apart from light
matter since I left school as it has always
been a little difficult to procure.

I'm off again, so had best clap a trap

on it.

Best wishes to "Doug.," "Non-com.,"
"Peggy," yourself and followers.

"Smiler."

[It was nice to hear from you again
"Smiler" and you are the second Virgilian
to warn me against rushing blindly into
accepting that offer of "Dairymaid's" to
take me for a drive-so there must be
something in itt I've sampled such roads
as you speak of and have often won-
dered why the cart wheels haven't been
wrenched off. Of course, I always expect
the worst and hang on tightly to what-
ever is handiestl I've noticed that it
doesn't matter how high country folk
bounce-they always land back on the
seat again-but we poor "townies" in-
variably lurch perilously close to the
wheels or else, only with difficulty, sup-
press a tendency to take a "header" on
to the horse's backt I hope the fowls
are still laying well and also that you
had good luck with the eggs you set-the
chicks should be running around by now.
-"Virgilia."]

"H.M.T."-Welcome, "bush bachelor,"
to the Cornert I'm glad you like our

pages.

"Miss L.P."-Idea for the Home to
hand. Many thanks.

On the Warpath.

Dear "Vlrgilia,"----When is this war go-
ing to be actually declared? Or has it
really begun? There are occasional shells
bursting, but I can see these "Digger
Diarists" lying pretty low in October;
I'm sure that your army is stronger than
"Non-com's" and if all Virgilians come
in their "war-paint" as suggested by
"Dairymaid," the enemy will be at once
routed, but the trouble is, will all of your
army be there? I'm afraid that I've not
much prospect, much as I'd love it.

I loved that last letter of "Susan's."
What a beautiful understanding mind
she has. Instead of depressing readers,
I'm sure she has shown lots of us how
to bear our bereavements.

I see in your answer to one of the
letters, "VirgUia," that you and your
"off-sider" are contemplating a trip to
Manjimup one of these days. If you do
happen to go that way you will pass
through my township, so let me know
what time you will be going through,
as I would love to see you both.

Gosh! talk about rain! I think we must
have just about had our limit. We have
had 12 inches for July up to the pre-
sent; it really makes one tired of the in-
cessant patter on the roof. What do
you think "friend-husband" has just
told me to ask you, when he knew I was
writing to you? "Ask her if she has any
connexion with "Virgil," the artist of
'Smith's Weekly'!" I can hear you say-
ing, "the audacity!" Never mind "Vir-
gilia," he ls only one of those "mere

males."

These children, when they think they
are trying to help! When I was cleaning
up part of my garden to plant roses, I
raked up all the dead stuff in a heap
ready to burn. I heard a little voice be-
hind me say, "Baby make a fire, too."
Of course, I looked round and, to my
horror, there was my little girl, aged two,
with my lovely sweet peas all pulled up
and put in a heap! Gosh! talk about
"seeing red!" But, of course, I had to see
the humorous side of it, but am glad to
say that they survived all right after re-
planting.

Have received the letters that you have
forwarded on to me all right, and have
dispatched requests, but had to cut the
roses down as the season is getting late
for them and they had been pruned.
Cheerio !-"Si-Nonomi."

[No, "Si-Nonomi," the war hasn't
really begun yet-we've merely been
skirmishing up to date. The Diggers and
Highwaymen haven't even been doing
that lately-they're playing safe owing to
the approaching encounter. If "Peggy"
and I are fortunate enough to take our
trip to Manjimup we'll certainly let you
know and endeavour to see you. Please
tell your nusband that he flatters me by
thinking of me in association with "Vir-
gil" the artist, who is more famous than
I could even dream of being and has
probably never heard of the Friendly Cor-
ner! His loss, of course!-"Virgilia."]

i\ visir TO rerrn.

Dear "Vhgilia,''-Thank you for pub-
lishing my last letter and also for the
very nice reply you made to it. I did not
see it myself, as I was busy preparing to
get away to Perth the night our "Mail"
arrived, and when I came back it had
gone the way of all good papers. I'm
sorry I missed it, too, because had I
known while in Perth that I'd been in-
vited to come and see you I'd have man-
aged somehow. I was rather rushed while
I was down. There is such a lot to do
and see to that a week isn't long enough,

and I just couldn't remember what days j
you were free to entertain. Added to
which I have the most mischievous son in
the world. He'd probably have turned
your office upside down. His father
"minded" him while I banked his money-
box, and when X glanced round Keith was
sitting under a table surrounded by tarn-
up paper, and my husband, looking any-
thing but happy, was trying to make out
he didn't own the darling!

It's raining, "Virgilia"! Can you feel
what we are feeling, I wonder? There is
lovely, squelchy, squashy mud all over the
place-my washing flaps dismally on the
line-and my husband's facel One huge
grin that surely stretches from ear to
ear! I wonder how his ears stand the
strain-keeping his face together, I mean!
Every now and then I say, "Bother the
rain; just look at my washing"-just to
hear the explosion it evokes! But my
heart is light, too. I was getting to feel
quite miserable to see the worried expres-
sion-the continual searching for clouds
-of my husband. Now I'm hoping again.
You know, just quietly, I'd love to be at
that affair at Show time. The Virgilians
are such a jolly crowd. If they are all
like their letters suggest, they are hard to
beat. Anyway, I've bought a charities'
ticket. I might win enough to get me
there. My husband will see to it I get
home again, I'll bet. I'll catch it when
he sees this letter, but I'm big enough to
bear it-one advantage of being O.S.!
Best of luck to all the Virgilians and
yourself, and the Corner.-"Popcorn,"
Bunjil.

[I'm awfully sorry, "Popcorn," that I
hadn't the pleasure of seeing you when in
Perth. I sincerely hope something turns
up to enable you to come ta the party.
Every week brings fresh faces to see us,
and, one and all, they are the happy,
[ friendly folk they seem to be in their let-

ters. I'd have loved to havé made the
acquaintance of your mischievous son.
Truth compels me to admit that nobody
would have noticed the difference-even
if he had turned the office upside down!
I hope he doesn't grow too angelic before
you come to town again.-"Virgilia."]

To Correspondents.

"Climber."-Your cheery epistle to
hand and awaiting space.

"Nasturtium."-What a shame you
didn't come to see us, "Nasturtium!" I
hope you will when you're next in Perth.

"Bose Mia."-Many thanks for your
address. Your requests to hand.

"Curly."-I'm delighted to think you're
feeling so happy, "Curly."

"Gum-nut."-Welcome to the Corner,
"Gumnut!" The wild flowers must be very
nice at the present time.

"Apple Fritter."-Your letter to hand.
Also the snap which I hope to be able
to use shortly.

"Klix."-I rang the Railway Depart-
ment, "Klix" and the official quote was
even more than the one you received. It
seems excessive, doesn't it?

"Bunny Hug."-I'm so glad you've
written at last and Joined the Corner,
"Bunny Hug." What a constant reader of
"The Western Mail" you've been!

"Edward Ellis."-I'm glad you've
plucked up courage at last and written
to the Corner. Welcome, "Edward El-
lis!"

"Lily of the Valley."-Sorry to hear
you are camping, "Lily of the Valley."
You're a brick to be so cheerful about
it.

"Wildfire."-Delighted to know that
you are coming to the party, "Wildfire."

"Eve."-Enclosed letter forwarded to
"Primrose." Silver Chain subscription to
hand. Many thanks.

"Brown Eyes."-You are disappointing!
Getting us all het up about those twins!

"A Back Number."-Many thanks for
your good wishes and welcome to the

Corner!

"Ashley."-Your note to hand and a
shilling in stamps.

"Ciwie."-Your letter to hand awaiting
space.

"Grandfather."-Welcome, "Grand-
father," we need you to watch over our
growing family! Your missive dispatched
to "Grandmother."

"Sarah Gamp."-Of course suburban-
ites are welcomed to the family circle

and I'm sure your very kind offer will be1
appreciated by all Cornerites.

"Townie."-I'm very pleased to hear !

our knitting directions have been so suc-
cessful Welcome to the Corner!

"Oleander."-I quite like your sugges-
tions about a paper all to ourselves,
"Oleander," but am afraid that it is im-
possible at present. Thanks for the nice
letter.

"Munjong."-Of course you may be-
come one of the elect. We are very
pleased to welcome another correspondent
from the North-west.

"Aussie."-The addresses to be sent to
you as soon as possible.

"Puck."-Your cheery letter to hand.
Many thanks.

"Wistaria,"-Many thanks for the let-
ter and the recipe for Dutch cake.

"Mountain Primrose."-Many thanks
for the letter and the Idea for the Home.

"Joan of Arc."-Thank you for the
recipe.

"Princess Margaret."-Welcome to the
Gorner! You have chosen a grand pen
name!

"Summer Blossom."-A warm welcome
to our ranks is yours, "Summer Blos-
som." I have considered you a Virgilian
since the first time you wrote.

"Evelyn Rangoosa."-Welcome to the
Gorner! I hope you will find a pen
friend from the page.

"Wildflower."-Many thanks for the

snap.

"Goldy."-Your letter received, the
enclosed note forwarded on and the let-
ter given to "Non-Corn." Many thanks.

"True Born West Australian."-Thanks
for the wee note. I've forwarded on the
parcel to "Puck."

"Pobre Gato."-Thank you for the nice
note.

"Allanah."-Your letter and the Silver
Chain subscription to hand.

"Gum Tips."-I'm glad to hear from
you once again. Thanks for the Sliver
Chain subscription.

"Pickle Head."-Welcome to the Vir-
gilians! I will attend to your requests
as soon as possible.

"Dough-nut."-Many thanks for the
letter which I'll use very shortly. Also
for the poetry.

"Bertella," alias "Boronia."-I hope you
like your new pen-name and that you
will hear from "Goldy" shortly.

"Griselda."-Your letter to hand. We
have forwarded the seeds and informa-
tion to "Nil Desperandum."

"Pakeha."-Many thanks for the knit-
ting book which I'll forward immediately

to "Gladsome."

$