We have had a sad death in the family from gluttony! One of the omnivorous laughing-jackasses contrived to catch Mrs Abbey’s pet canary, and swallowed it, feathers and all. Strange to say, this actually proved too much for its digestion—or rather for its throat, for it died of suffocation. We shall hear its derisive laughter no more. Alas, poor jackass! The English mail has just brought me a budget of home-letters, and news of many matters that come to us as vivid reminders of the far-away grey isles, which I do sometimes long to see, for the sake of the many warm hearts they contain,—not that I find these lacking in any corner of the earth. Good-bye, darling.—Your loving sister. * * * * * FIJI, _March 29, 1876_. DEAREST NELL,—I have just received, and greatly enjoyed, my budget of home-letters.... At present I am staying in Levuka, nursing my pretty, nice little friend, Mrs de Ricci, who has a very severe attack of fever. She has been for ten days in great danger, and is even now in high delirium. She and I have been great friends ever since we first met in Sydney; for she is a bright sunny little woman, always ready to make the best of everything. Her husband is the Attorney-General here; but their household, like most others in this land of discomfort, consists of a rough Irish girleen and an unkempt Fijian lad; so when the bonny little woman was taken very ill, Dr Macgregor came to see if I would go to help for a night. I have stayed on ever since, as she knows me through her delirium, and is content generally to do what I ask her. So hitherto we have rejected the various kind offers of help from friendly neighbours, and have divided the watches between us, and so manage very well. Nursing is much simplified in the tropics, where you have not to think about fires, happing up clothes, and keeping out draughts. On the other hand, nothing will keep, and your milk and beef-tea and chicken-broth go bad almost before you can use them. Our patient has to eat something every hour; and sometimes it is difficult to keep things fresh. However, I think she is getting on pretty well. * * * * * NASOVA, _Sunday, April 2_.