assistance.  In order to prevent too great a rush to the boats, I thought it expedient to announce that the women must go first, and that, for my own part, I intended to leave the ship last.[3] This I was enabled to do without unnecessary parade, as the first boat lowered was offered to me,—­and no doubt the announcement had some effect in keeping things quiet and obviating the risk of swamping the boats, which was the only danger we had then to apprehend.  Such were our adventures of yesterday afternoon.  I had a presentiment that something would happen at Galle, though I could hardly have anticipated that I should be wrecked, and wrecked within the harbour!... Five P.M.—­I have just been on the beach looking at our wreck.  The stern, and up to the funnel is now all under water.  A. jury of ‘experts’ have sat on the case, and their decision is, that nothing can be done to recover what is in the after part of the vessel (passenger’s luggage and specie) until the next monsoon sets in—­some five or six months hence!  A wardrobe which has spent that period of time under the sea will be a curiosity!

This untoward accident detained him for a fort-night at Galle, occupied in superintending and pressing on the operation of fishing up what could be saved from the wreck.  By the aid of divers, his ‘Full Powers’ and his decorations were recovered, together with most of his wearing apparel; but his ‘letter of credence’ was gone, and he had to telegraph to the Foreign Office for a duplicate.

[Sidenote:  News from China.]

In the meantime the lingering hope which he had cherished of an immediate return to England was dispelled by accounts from China, which made it clear that he must proceed thither and go through with the expedition.

May 28th.—­Seven A.M.—­This will be a sad letter to you, and I write it with a heavy heart, though we have much to be thankful for in the issue of this adventure....  I trust that Providence reserves for us a time of real quiet and enjoyment.  I go to China with the determination, God willing! to bring matters there to a speedy settlement.  I think that this is as indispensable for the public as for my own private interest.  Gros is of the same opinion.  I still hope, therefore, that with the change of the monsoon we may be wending our way homewards.

[Sidenote:  Missionary station.]

June 3rd.—­Nothing has occurred to mark the lapse of time except a visit we paid two days ago to a place called Ballagam, some ten miles from here.  It is a missionary station, built by the money of the Church Missionary Society, or by funds raised through the Society.  It is situated on rising ground, and consists of an excellent bungalow for the missionary, a church, and a school.  A good part of the building is upon an artificial terrace supported by masonry, and must have cost a great deal of money.  It appears that at one time, while the work was going on, and cash was