A terribly sad thing has just happened here, and cast quite a gloom over the town. Do you remember my telling you, just after our arrival here, of the marriage of a very popular girl to a young planter? A few days ago she became a happy mother, and all seemed well; but things went wrong, and she died yesterday. Her husband, supposing all danger to be over, had gone on business to another isle, and returned by the steamer this morning. All the flags in harbour and in the town were hung half mast during the funeral; and when the captain hailed the nearest vessel to ask who was dead, the poor fellow heard his wife’s name shouted back in answer. I have just been to see Mrs Macgregor in her new house. She is the only one of all our sisterhood of last year still remaining in Fiji. Her new house is, unfortunately, a good deal further from Nasova than the one she has hitherto had; but it is convenient for the Doctor, being close to the pretty little hospital, which is generally very full. I am sure you will be amused to hear that the Doctor has enlisted my services in quite a new branch of art. He is busy studying some curious skin diseases peculiar to certain of the imported labour, which gives the patient the appearance of being clad in moiré-antique, with a white watered pattern on a dark ground. Of these patterns he has made various rough drawings, which he has now set me to elaborate. * * * * * _September 16._ Colonel Pratt has just been here to call, looking very ill. He has had a long spell of work at Suva with his Engineers, getting the land surveyed and the new road begun, which involves being out a great deal in a blazing sun, and is exceedingly trying. Sir Arthur rejoined Lady Gordon at Suva in the beginning of the month, Captain Knollys escorting him. The latter returned here two days ago, in a deluge of rain, having been four days coming from Suva, beating against a head-wind. Of course his boat was only provisioned fully for one day, so he and his men had very short commons for the last three days. Mr Gordon continues to improve very slowly, but we hope surely. The Doctor says that so soon as he can be moved, he must go to New Zealand for change of air. Our parson, Mr Floyd, is also going there next week. * * * * * _September 22._