Since I last wrote I have moved down from Mrs Havelock’s house to Nasova, where the new house is so far on that the children are sleeping in the large new drawing-room, and I am in possession of their nursery. But my own room is now quite ready; and I was busy yesterday, with the help of an acute darkie (Hindoo), in making it all cosy, putting up shelves, and hooks, and brackets, and pictures; and by the time I come back the garden in front of the windows will be quite in order and full of flowers. They do grow well here when any one takes any trouble; and Sir Arthur’s head man, Abbey, is possessed of an unbounded energy, which delights in organising everything. He works himself, and struggles to make a troop of idle careless Fijians do likewise, so garden, farm, and everything else are taking shape. He goes with us to Suva. Captain Knollys remains here in charge of everything, and to try to get the work done. He has command of a large body of Fijian police, or soldiers, who are always on guard here—picturesque people—who keep the place alive, and are to us a source of endless interest and amusement. There are also a lot of Engineers living in a native house on the green in front, so there is no lack of human beings about the place. Two days ago a large German man-of-war came in, the Gazelle: her band came and played here, and the Levuka world came to listen. Last night the German residents gave them a ball; but our distance from the scene of action (a long mile of vile footpath, and no alternative but walking) franks us ladies from appearing at any of these festivities.[19] There is literally no means of being carried, such as we are accustomed to find in all Eastern lands. Palanquins, sedan-chairs, dandies, kangos, and all such substitutes for carriages, are alike unknown, and if imported, it would be impossible to induce men to carry them (at least so we are told). So there is nothing for it but to tramp, either in the fierce sun, or, if after sunset, carrying lanterns to enable us to avoid the many snares and pit-falls of the great highroad. Some of the officers of the Gazelle lunched here yesterday, and some more dine to-night. They talk very good English.