Mr M 'Kay's anecdote about Mr Birch reminds me of another that I have lately heard", and which, I am assured, is based on good authority, though my informant does not absolutely vouch for it. The story goes that Mr Birch, when he arrived in London, called upon the Duke of Edinburgh, to renew the acquaintance he formed, with that prinoe when he was in Dunedin, of which Mr Birch was then Mayor. I grieve to say, however, that the Prince declined to see Mr Birch, who went away not a little chagrined. The Prince no doubt thought he had been plagued enough with Colonial Mayors during his visits to this side of the globe, and did not want to have them haunting him in England. This hauteur of his de prived Mr Birch of the power of begin ning many little stories with — " Wheri I called upon His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh," &c, &c. — a pleasure that would have gone far to drown the memory of his misfortunes.
