This is the first epidemic of any sort that has visited Fiji, and its results naturally make the introduction of any other infectious disease a thing to be dreaded. Just imagine how appalling would be the results of small-pox, for instance! And as hitherto there have been no quarantine laws, this might have been brought by any vessel. Even now there is the greatest anxiety lest it should be carried by the large steamers which call at Khandavu every month, on their way to and from San Francisco, Australia, and New Zealand. Of course the strictest quarantine regulations have now been issued; and Dr Mayo is stationed at Khandavu to enforce them, as also to vaccinate the whole population, and very monotonous work he finds it, however necessary. Happily the people take rather kindly to the operation. They have a fancy for making scars on their skin, both as a remedy and an ornament, so the process is rather attractive; and they come voluntarily to the doctor (whom they call _matai-ni-mate_, “carpenter of death”) to request his good offices. Now you will think I am never going to stop writing, so I may as well say good-bye. CHAPTER V. LEVUKA—THE HARBOUR—CORAL-REEF—CHURCHES—ANIMAL LIFE—PLANTS—HOW TO BREW YANGONA—PICNICS—SPEAR-THROWING. WITH MRS HAVELOCK, LEVUKA, _Saturday, October 2, 1875_. DEAR NELL,—I cannot say how I long to have you here to share the delight of sitting on this high headland overlooking the lovely sea. The air is balmy, and we almost always have a faint delicious breeze (sometimes it is anything but faint!) From this tiny garden we look down through a veil of glittering palm-leaves, brightened by a foreground of rosy oleanders, and vivid scarlet hybiscus; and between these glimmer the blue waters of the Pacific, and dreamy isles which seem to float on the horizon. I think, on a clear day, we can count eight or ten of these.