’Several of our lads have had attacks of fever and ague; Wadrokala and his child of a wife, Bum, a Bauro boy, &c.  The island is not at all unhealthy, but natives cannot be taught caution.  I, thank God, am in robust health, very weather-beaten.  I think my Bishop’s dress would look quite out of keeping with such a face and pair of hands!

’There is much as usual in such cases to encourage and to humble us.  Some few people seem to be in earnest.  The great majority do their best to make me think they are listening.  Meanwhile, much goes on in the island as of old.

’Sunday, July 28th, 11.45 A.M.—­I have much anxiety just now.  At this moment Wadrokala is in an ague fit, five or six others of my party kept going by quinine and port wine, and one or other sickening almost daily.  Henry Hrahuena, of Lifu, I think dying, from what I know not—­I think inflammation of the brain, induced possibly by exposure to the sun, though I have not seen him so exposed, and it is a thing I am very careful about with them.  I do what I can in following the directions of medical books, but it is so hard to get a word from a native to explain symptoms, &c.; besides, my ear is now, like last year, really painful; and for two nights I have had little sleep, and feel stupid, and getting a worn-out feeling.  With all this, I am conscious that it is but a temporary depression, a day or two may bring out the bright colours again.  Henry may recover by God’s mercy, the boys become hearty again; my ear get right.  At present I feel that I must rub on as I can, from hour to hour.

’If I find from experience that natives of Melanesia, taken to a different island, however fertile, dry, and apparently healthy, do seem to be affected by it, I must modify my plans, try as soon as possible to have more winter schools, and, what is of more consequence, I must reconsider the whole question of native teachers.  If a great amount of sickness is to be the result of gathering scholars around me at an island, I could do, perhaps, more single-handed, in health, and with no one to look after, than with twenty fellows of whom half are causing continual anxiety on the score of health.  Now were I alone, I should be as brisk as a bee, but I feel weighed down somewhat with the anxiety about all these fellows about me.

’I must balance considerations, and think it out.  It requires great attention.  It is at times like these that I experience some trials.  Usually my life is, as you know, singularly free from them.

’July 31st.—­Henry died on Sunday about 4 A.M.  Wadrokala is better.  The boys are all better.  I have had much real pain and weariness from sleepless nights, owing to the small tumour in my ear.  What a sheet of paper for you to read!  And yet it is not so sad either.  The boys were patient and good; Wadrokala takes his ague attacks like a man; and about Henry I had great comfort.