have a solid wall of the scoria from the volcanic island opposite, we
have a complete shelter from the cold south wind. The cliff and hill
to the west entirely shut off the wind from that quarter, and the
north and east winds are always warm. The soil is very dry, and the
beach composed exclusively of small "pipi" shells--small bivalves.
So that by putting many cart-loads of these under our wooden floors,
and around our buildings, we have so perfect a drainage that after
heavy rain the soil is quite dry again in a few hours. It causes me
no anxiety now, when I am for an hour away from my flock, to be
thinking whether they are lying on the ground, forgetting that the
hot sun overhead does not destroy the bad effect of a damp clay soil
such as that at St. John's College.

'The buildings at present form three sides of a quadrangle, but the
south side is only partly filled up. The large schoolroom, eighty
feet long, with three sets of transepts, has been removed from the
College, and put up again so as to form the east side of the
quadrangle. This is of wood; so is the small wooden quadrangle which
serves now for dormitories, and a part of which I occupy; my house
consisting of three little rooms, together measuring seventeen feet
by seven. These dormitories are the southern side of the quadrangle,
but do not reach more than half-way from the east to the west side,
room being left for another set of dormitories of equal size, when we
want them and can afford them. The west side consists of a very nice
set of stone buildings, including a large kitchen, store room, and
room for putting things in daily and immediate use; and the hall,
which is the northern part of the side of the quadrangle, is a really
handsome room, with simple open roof and windows of a familiar
collegiate appearance. These buildings are of the dark grey scoria,
almost imperishable I suppose, and look very well. The hall is just