So you see that the prospect is not altogether inviting; and as regards the present state of the Isles, I should certainly not advise any one to come here at present to settle unless he has a good lump of money to invest in land—say, at least, £2000—and plenty capital to work it. The place is frightfully expensive, and for any one dependent on his pay is simply ruinous. All Government _employés_ have very low salaries, and find it almost impossible to live; and yet every post is eagerly sought by dozens of white men, craving a morsel of bread. Of course it is all very delightful for me who have nothing to think about, but just what enjoyment can be got out of the beautiful surroundings, with heaps of pleasant companions, and everything to make life agreeable, including blessed good health, which, I am thankful to say, is my invariable portion. I wish I could say as much for all the others, most of whom have had some twinges of illness; and all have had sore feet, arising, I fancy, from scratching mosquito-bites, which, in this moist climate, frequently results in very painful sores. So most of the party take it by turns to be lame. Mr Gordon suffers horribly from neuralgia, which is much encouraged by the mode of building here, the walls being merely made of reeds, through which the draughts blow freely; and though the air that thus comes in is generally celestial, sometimes a storm blows up before morning, and a cold, wet, rainy wind blows in. Last night we were all awakened by a noise like thunder on the roof, which is of zinc, as with all foreign houses here. It was a mad rain-storm beating right in at the open jalousies. Some people were fairly flooded out. To-day the weather is clear and lovely. I am still living with the Havelocks, who are kindness itself, and make me heartily welcome to a corner of their sweet little cottage—the nicest situation here. I am most fortunate to be with them, as Nasova (Government House) is still in a horrible mess, full of builders, carpenters, noise—no rest for any one anywhere—besides being much too low for the breeze—actually on the sea-level. I am going off soon to visit another island, Nananu, the property of Mr Leefe’s brother. Mrs L. most kindly wrote to invite me, and to say her husband would come in his boat to fetch me. One of the drawbacks to these expeditions is, that you may be becalmed and kept out at sea in a tiny schooner for several days,—which might be awkward, to say the least of it.