As I went into my cabin yesterday before dinner, I observed a swarm of white flies with long wings, by the side of one of my open ports.  I found out that they were white ants which had burst through the wood- work, and which seem to be provided with wings under such circumstances, in order that they may migrate.  The wood-work inside near the place from which they burst out, was completely destroyed by them, and reduced to a pulp.  It appears that there are quantities of these creatures in this ship.  It is believed that they are only in the scantling or upper wood-work.  It is to be hoped that this may be so; for they devour timber with wonderful rapidity, and ships have been lost by their eating away portions under water.

[Sidenote:  Madras.]

March 7th.—­Madras.—­Reached the anchorage at 4.30 P.M.  We soon got into one of the country boats made for landing in the surf (without nails, and all the planks sewn together).  We were hoisted by the waves upon the beach, and found there a considerable crowd, with the Governor, Sir W. Denison; Sir H. Grant, etc., and a guard of honour, to receive us; Sir W.D. drove me out to this place, Guindy, which is about eight miles from the town, and consists of a charming airy house, in a large park.  There was a full-dress dinner party and reception last night....  I have decided to proceed to Calcutta to- morrow.

’Ferooz.’—­March 9th.—­Sunday.—­It was very hot during the service under the awning.  But you and the little ones were remembered on this sweltering Bengal sea....  My visit to Madras was pleasant, and an agreeable change....  And I collected there papers and official documents enough to keep me going till I reach Calcutta.

[Sidenote:  Calcutta.] [Sidenote:  Installation.]

It was on the evening of March 11th that the ‘Ferooz’ anchored in ’Diamond Harbour,’ the same anchorage at which, in the ‘Shannon,’ he had spent the night of August 8, 1857.  The following day he was formally installed as Viceroy and Governor-General; receiving every kindness from Lord Canning, whom he describes as not looking so ill as he expected to find him, ‘but,’ he adds, ‘those about him say he is far from right in health.’  Six days later Lord Canning took his departure, and Lord Elgin was left to enter upon his new duties.

[Sidenote:  Death of Mr. Ritchie.]

He had not been a fortnight in office when the uncertainty of life in Calcutta was brought home to him in a striking and ominous manner by the sudden death of an esteemed member of his Legislative Council, Mr. Ritchie.  Writing on March 23 to Sir Charles Wood, who was then Secretary of State for India, he said:—­