promising. It is quite ready for a missionary. We brought away
Moto, Pepeu, and the two young boys who were with me at Lifu, and
very many wished to come.

'Thence we had a very long passage to Lifu. John Cho is, I am
thankful to say, very much better. The two men from the London
Missionary Society are on the island.... The Lifu people tell me that
in the north of the island many are accepting the teaching of the two
French priests. William Martin Tahia and Chakham, a principal chief
and old scholar, are with us.

'At Nengone, Wadrokala, George Simeona, and Harper Malo have come
away for good.... We number thirty-nine Melanesians.... This is a
long letter which will try your patience.

'Always, my dear Bishop,

'Affectionately yours,

'J. C. PATTESON.'


Another long letter was written during this voyage to Mr. Edward
Coleridge, a great portion of it on the expediency of the islands
being taken under British protection, also much respecting the Church
of New Zealand, which is scarcely relevant to the immediate subject,
and only at the end is there anything more personal:--

'The last accounts of my father were unusually good, but I well know
what news may be awaiting our return from a voyage whether long or