moisture from above to cool the air, save only about once in two years, when the sluices of Heaven are opened, and the torrents come down with a fury unexampled elsewhere, one feels at first inclined to doubt whether it can be possible for human beings to live here.  I suppose that it is the reaction, produced by finding that it is not quite so bad as it appears, that reconciles people to their lot, and makes them so contented.  We have got some scraps of China news; and what there is, seems to be pacific.

[Sidenote:  Books.]

At Sea.—­May 15th.—­If we go on to China, if we take the matter in hand, then I think, coute que coute, we must finish it, and finish it thoroughly.  I do not believe that it will take us long to do so; but the indispensable is, that it should be done.  This is my judgment on the matter, and I tell it to you as it presents itself to my own mind; but how much wiser is Gros, who does not peer into the dim future, but awaits calmly the dispersion of the mists which surround it!...  He has been reading the book on Buddhism (St. Hilaire’s), which I got on your recommendation, and have lent him.  I have myself read Thiers; the Idylls over again; some other poems of Tennyson’s, &c. &c.  The first of these is very interesting.  The passion of the French nation for the name of Napoleon seems more and more wonderful when one peruses the record of the frightful sufferings which he brought upon them; and yet, at the time when his reign was drawing to its close, the disgust occasioned by his tyranny seemed to be the ruling sentiment with all classes.  As to the Idylls, on a second perusal I like ‘Enid’ better than on the first; ‘Vivien’ better; ‘Elaine’ less; and ‘Guinevere’ still best of all.  Nothing in the volume can approach the last interview between Arthur and the Queen.

May 19_th._—­We are to reach Galle to-morrow or next day....  I think of you and the dear small ones, to whom I feel myself drawn more closely than ever; for, in spite of my preoccupations, I became better acquainted with them during my last eleven months at home, than ever before-dear B.’s full and thoughtful eye; L.’s engaging and loving ways.  Oh that I could be at home and at peace to enjoy all this!

[Sidenote:  Ceylon.]

Ceylon, May 21_st._—­Last night was black and stormy, and when I came on deck this morning, I was told that we did not know exactly where we were; that we had turned our ship’s head homewards, and were searching for Ceylon.  We found it after a while, and landed in a pelt of rain at about noon....  On landing, I asked eagerly for China news.  Hardly any to be obtained; little more than vague surmises.  Nothing to justify an arrest of our movements, so we must go on.  I do not know how it is, but I feel sadder and more depressed than I have felt before.  I cannot but contrast my position when in this house a year ago with my present position.