After this pleasing interview we proceeded to the boys’ school, followed by as many as could get into the room.  When the boys had read, I desired that questions might be put to them on what they had been reading, but soon found that this important mode of instruction was neglected; the master promised to introduce the questions which we are having printed, if we would send him the books.  On returning to our quarters, we found among the crowd who were still present, the three priests, come, I suppose, to pay their respects to the governor.  We were glad of an opportunity of conversing with them.  On asking their opinion as to a school, one of them said, in Greek, It is good, blessed and honorable.  I could not let this favorable opportunity pass without impressing on them, through McPhail, the advantage of reading the Scriptures to the people in the modern tongue which they could understand, telling them that the book of Genesis was already printed in Modern Greek.  They could hardly believe me, and on my showing them a new copy of this and of the Psalms, their eyes sparkled with pleasure.  Our friend the governor read aloud a portion of Genesis, and one of the priests a little out of the Psalms.  The long-robed, patriarchal looking man said, Ah, this is what we want!  We priests read in the churches what we don’t understand ourselves, and how can we explain it to others.  They modestly asked if they might have the books for a while; and when we said they were given to them, there was a little jealousy who should have them; this we removed by saying that more should be sent.  Many of the kind-hearted people accompanied us to the precipice, and ran before to clear the way; and, through divine mercy, we reached the dwelling of our kind host in safety; not without a steeping of mountain rain.

When the good Bishop of Santa Maura heard the result of our interview with the peasants, he sent one of his most influential priests with a subscription book for his people to put down their names towards a fund for the schools, thus promptly giving his sanction to general education.

3 mo. 2.—­First-day.  After breakfast we read a chapter and held our meeting with Captain McPhail and his wife, and felt a little comfort in holding up the standard of religious worship.  Something was given us to utter, both in testimony and supplication.

The next evening we dined with the governor.  It was a state dinner, given to the judges and persons of rank in the town; about twenty of us sat down; the repast was splendid and the dishes innumerable.  At the head of the table was Captain McPhail in full uniform; on his right our hostess in a rich Greek dress; on his left a young lady in the full Italian style; my M.Y. and myself were not the least singular in appearance.  All was done in good order, and a sweet feeling prevailed.

4_th_.—­We are like prisoners at large, not being able to leave the island till the steamer returns.  Captain McPhail has kindly proposed our paying a visit to the continent to see a little colony of the natives who live in wigwams.  These people like many others suffered greatly from the Turks, and took refuge in Santa Maura, which has excited in them a feeling of gratitude for the protection of their English neighbors.