We have had a good many visits lately from different chiefs, several of whom have come to formal dinners, and have got through that ordeal in the most creditable manner. I should think that sitting on chairs for two hours, during a long series of courses of strange dishes, eaten with unwonted knives and forks, must be very trying to them; but they are so well bred, that they never allow themselves to appear bored, nor do they make any mistakes,—and of course the Fijian servants are on the alert to help them out of any dilemma; besides, at least one of the Governor’s interpreters is always of the party. Some of the ladies have been asked to dine, but have invariably excused themselves. They do not mind coming to luncheon, which is less alarming, and occasionally bring pretty children,—greatly to little Jack’s delight. He does love babies! Nevil rather despises them. A few days ago a party of Fijian ladies were caught in a tropical shower, just as they reached the house. All their pretty native finery was destroyed; but we found no difficulty about supplying dry clothing, as so little was required. Lady Gordon gave the principal lady a new shawl to wear as a _sulu_, and begged her to accept it, which she did with great satisfaction. I forgot to tell you of one very pretty expedition I had last week. Dr Macgregor had to visit the isle of Naingani to see if it would do for a quarantine station, so he asked me to go with him. He had the harbour-master’s boat, manned by six wild-looking Solomon Island and New Britain boatmen. Three hours’ steady rowing brought us to a pretty isle, with white coral shore, haunted by myriads of hermit-crabs, and overshadowed by very fine old _ndelo_ trees. We lunched beside a pool of fresh water on the shore, and found two good streamlets. The people seemed very poor. The coral-patches were lovely, and I found much amusement watching black and yellow sea slugs, with heads like flowers, and black and white star-fish. Then I sketched the great trees, while the doctor did his inspection; after which we had a lovely row home. There is a good deal of sickness going about just now. Amongst other sufferers is old Mrs Floyd, the mother of our parson, who has nursed her with such unwearied devotion, that now he is quite worn out. So last Sunday Captain Havelock undertook both services. He makes a first-rate chaplain. I have just been up the hill with Mrs Havelock. We sat under the shadow of a great rock, with breezy sunshine all round us, and the lovely harbour below. I wished you had been sitting there with me. We watched the glowing sunset colours, though we were facing due east. Every morning we see the sun rise out of the sea; and at night we sit out in the starlight and watch the Great Bear, which appears just over Levuka, and is very brilliant. It seems strange, does it not, that we, so low in the southern hemisphere, should look on such a familiar reminder of home?