to do, what our position is out here; and they don't see that my
absence would involve great probable injury to the whole work.

'It is curious how few there are who know anything of New Zealand and
Melanesia!

'Of course it is useless to speculate on the future, but I see
nothing at all to make it likely that I shall ever revisit England.
I can't very well conceive any such state of things as would make it
a duty to gratify my constant inclination. And, my dear father, I
don't scruple to say (for you will understand me) that I am happier
here than I should be in England, where, even though I were absent
only a few months, I should bear about with me the constant weight of
knowing that Melanesia was not provided for. And, strange as it may
seem, this has quite ceased to be a trial to me. The effort of
subduing the longing desire to see you is no longer a great one: I
feel that I am cheerful and bright, and light-hearted, and that I
have really everything to make a man thankful and contented.

'And if you could see the thankful look of the Bishop, when he is
again assured that there is no item of regret or desire to call me
home on your part, you would feel, I know, that colonial work does
require, especially, an unconditional unreserved surrender of a man
to whatever he may find to do.'

But while admiring the noble spirit in which the son held fast his
post, and the father forebore to unsettle him there, let not their
example he used in the unkind and ignorant popular cry against the
occasional return of colonial Bishops. For, be it remembered, that
dire necessity was not drawing Coleridge Patteson to demand pecuniary