surroundings novel and interesting. He lived, for the most part, the free out-door life congenial to him; and at Rosedale Station Mr. and Mrs. Alex. McKeahnie welcomed him to a home circle for whose members he cherished warm and lasting regard.
From this point there are extant occasional letters from Boake to his relatives and friends, which give more direct insight to his mode of life and thought. Writing from Rocklands to his father on 29th May, 1887, he says—
. . . I had a pleasant ride to-day in and out to Adaminaby in the pouring rain—to church. This was a woman's freak. —— would go, and asked me; and as I can’t refuse a lady as a rule I made a martyr of myself.
. . . Tennis every afternoon
. . . I will give you an extract from my diary for the last fortnight. ‘Got up just as the breakfast was going in. Rushed in just as grace was finished; ate two chops; bullied Miss M—— about the tea being too weak. After breakfast smoke in the kitchen. Did plans till eleven; another smoke; dinner at one—ate a plate of mutton. Another smoke. Mrs. C—— and I play young Boyd and Miss M——; and, strange to say, always beat them. Mrs. C—— retires about nine; I put in the time yarning in the kitchen with Jack and the cook (Chinese) till ten—then bed.’
Of course, on Saturday whole holiday; go to Adaminaby; hear the latest yarn from W——, the publican (mostly discreditable); then home. On Sunday read the papers all day; tennis in the afternoon.
This is the programme, except that we have cutlets for breakfast occasionally instead of chops. I think I have had beef once only since the spring . . .
