A few days’ holiday and change at the Primate’s brought back spirits and strength; but the question whether under any circumstances New Zealand would be a safe residence for the great body of Melanesian scholars was becoming doubtful, and it seemed well to consider of some other locality.  Besides, it was felt to be due to the supporters of the Mission in Australia to tell them personally how great had been the progress made since 1855; and, accordingly, on one of the first days of February, Bishop Patteson embarked in a mail steamer for Sydney, but he was obliged to leave six of his lads in a very anxious state with a recurrence of dysentery.  However, the Governor, Sir George Grey, had lent his place on the island of Kawau, thirty miles north of Auckland, to the party, so that there was good hope that change would restore the sick.

‘Fancy me,’ says the Journal of February 6, ’on board a screw steamer, 252 feet long, with the best double cabin on board for my own single use, the manager of the company being anxious to show me every attention, eating away at all sorts of made dishes, puddings, &c., and lounging about just as I please on soft red velvet sofas and cushions.’

The rest and good living were the restorative he needed; and, in spite of anxiety about the patients at home, he enjoyed and profited by it.

On February 6, Sydney was reached, but the Bishop sailed on at once for his farthest point.  At Melbourne, on the 11th, he quaintly declares, after describing his kind reception:  ’I feel at present a stranger among strangers; no new thing to me, especially if they are black, and begin by offering me cocoa-nut instead of bread and butter.  This place looks too large for comfort—­like a section of London, busy, bustling, money-making.  There are warm hearts somewhere amid the great stores and banks and shops, I dare say.  But you know it feels a little strange, and especially as I think it not unlikely that a regular hearty Church feeling may not be the rule of the place.  Still I am less shy than I was, and with real gentlemen feel no difficulty in discussing points on which we differ.

It is the vulgar uneducated fellow that beats me.  The Melanesians, laugh as you may at it, are naturally gentlemanly and courteous and well-bred.  I never saw a “gent” in Melanesia, though not a few downright savages.  I vastly prefer the savage.’

Melbourne was, however, to be taken on the return; and he went on to Adelaide, where Bishop Short and the clergy met him at the port, and he was welcomed most heartily.  The Diocesan Synod assembled to greet him, and presented an address; and there were daily services and meetings, when great interest was excited, and tangibly proved by the raising of about £250.  He was perfectly astonished at the beauty and fertility of the place, and the exceeding luxuriance of the fruit.  One bunch of grapes had been known to weigh fourteen pounds.  As to the style of living with all ordinary English comforts and attendance, he says:—­’I feel almost like a fish out of water, and yet I can’t help enjoying it.  One very easily resumes old luxurious habits, and yet the thought of my dear boys, sick as I fear some must be, helps to keep me in a sober state of mind.’