’I don’t see, humanly speaking, how this island is to be kept from becoming purely Roman Catholic.  They have a large staff of men, and are backed up by the presence of a complete government establishment in New Caledonia, only two or three days distant, while what have we?  Four months a year of the time, partially otherwise occupied by Melanesian schools, of one missionary, and while here these four months, I have my lads from many islands to teach, so that I can’t lay myself out to learn this one language, &c.  I am writing this on September 16.  “Southern Cross” not yet come, and my lads very anxious; I confess I should like to see it, not only (as you will believe) because all my stores are gone.  I have not a morsel of biscuit or grain of sugar left, and am reduced to native fare, which does not suit my English constitution for very long.  Yams and taro, and a fowl now and then, will be my food until the ship comes.  Hitherto I have had coffee and biscuits in addition.

’My very kind love to Mrs. S ——­, and many thanks for the letters, which I much enjoy.

’Your very affectionate old pupil,

‘J.  C. P.’

The whole of September passed without the arrival of the ’Southern Cross.’  The fact was that after Mr. Patteson had been left at Lifu, the vessel when entering Port-au-France, New Caledonia, had come upon a coral reef, and the damage done to her sheathing was so serious that though she returned to Auckland from that trip, she could not sail again without fresh coppering; and as copper had to be brought from Sydney for the purpose, there was considerable delay before she could set forth again, so that it was not till the last day of September that she gladdened Patteson’s eyes, and brought the long-desired tidings from home.

This voyage was necessarily short, as there were appointments to be kept by the Bishop in New Zealand in November, and all that could be aimed at was the touching at the more familiar islands for fresh instalments of scholars.  The grand comet of 1858 was one feature of this expedition—­which resulted in bringing home forty-seven Melanesians, so that with the crew, there were sixty-three souls on board during the homeward voyage!

’As you may suppose, the little “Southern Cross” is cram full, but the Bishop’s excellent arrangements in the construction of the vessel for securing ventilation, preserve us from harm by God’s blessing.  Every day a thorough cleaning and sweeping goes on, and frequent washing, and as all beds turn up like the flap of a table, and some thirty lads sleep on the floor on mats and blankets, by 7 A.M. all traces of the night arrangements have vanished.  The cabin looks and feels airy; meals go on regularly; the boys living chiefly on yams, puddings, and cocoa-nuts, and plenty of excellent biscuit.  We laid in so many cocoa-nuts that they have daily one apiece, a great treat to them.  A vessel of this size, unless arranged with special reference