_Saturday, September 11th._--Started this morning after breakfast for Tasmate by boat, and saw a vessel heading in for the watering place. This was the _Southern Cross_ from the islands, and before long she came to anchor and we were on board shaking hands. We were somewhat surprised to see the Bishop, but he was not well and was going for the change to Norfolk Island. None of the party on board looked very well, but they were going South and would soon feel the benefit of the colder weather. Mr. Turnbull came back with me and spent the night here. After service I held a consultation with the teachers as to Arthur’s going to Norfolk Island, and they were unanimous that he ought to go. A. P. Huqe offered to stay in his place. The vessel was much earlier than I expected her, but none too early. The news generally, very good. There were five earthquake shocks to-day, one of which was very severe, felt equally on shore and at sea. The Captain fancied the ship was on a rock. _Monday, September 13th._--Yesterday I spent at Tanrig. Mr. Turnbull slept the night with me, and spent the whole of Sunday. We had school in the early morning and after that, breakfast. Then followed Morning Prayer with a very large congregation. In the afternoon Mr. Comins, Mr. Plant, Mr. Brittain, the Captain, Engineer, and a large number of Melanesians came up to see the village and stayed to our social meal in the evening. They were all quite charmed with the people and the place, and enjoyed very much the pleasant walk. Mr. Turnbull took his departure, and Mr. Brittain spent the night with me. The party, with the exception of Mr. Comins, were not successful on the return journey and missing the track got into the taro gardens, and floundered about in the mud in the most helpless confusion. Not finding a way out of their difficulty they tried back, and hit happily upon the right track. This little episode threw somewhat of a damper upon the visit, and the party returned rather wet and crestfallen to the ship. Mr. Comins was accused of being the cause of the misfortune, and I believe those who fared worse than he heaped their approbrium on him when they got on board. The Bishop was not well, and we were all disappointed not to see him at our head quarters. Naturally, a visit from our Bishop is looked upon as a red letter day by our people, and if he cannot come the disappointment is very apparent. Mr. Brittain and I dined together and spent a most pleasant evening. It was a most glorious evening, and the calm peace of a cloudless sunset gave place to the most brilliant moonlight. We sat outside the house talking to the people until Prayer time. The service was a very impressive one, for I got Arthur to say a few words to his people before leaving them, and the thought of going away raised a great lump in his throat, and for some moments, although generally so ready and so eloquent, he could not say a word. Several times there was a