’I have been reading one or two of the German books you sent out.  “Friedrich der Grosse” is interesting, but henceforth I don’t think I shall have time for aught but a good German novel or two for wet days and jumping seas; or such a theological book as I may send for.’

The effect of the voyage seems to have shown itself in an inflamed leg, which was painful, but not disabled for some time.  There was a welcome budget of letters awaiting him,—­one from his uncle Dr. Coleridge, to which this is the reply:—­

’September 15, 1856:  St. John’s College.

’Your letter of March 26 was awaiting my arrival here.  How thankful I am that (as Fan says) in little as in great things God is so good to us.  Letters from me arriving on the anniversary of my departure! and all at Thorverton!

’You are clearly right in what you say about my post in the S. X. I did not like it at first, just as a schoolboy does not like going back to school; but that it was good for me I have no doubt; and now see! here I am on shore for seven or eight months, if I live so long--my occupations most interesting, working away with twelve Melanesians at languages, etc., with the highest of all incentives to perseverance, trying to form in them habits of cleanliness, order, decency, etc.

’Last night (Sunday—­their first Sunday in New Zealand), after explaining to the Solomon Islands boys, seven in number, the nature of the Lord’s Prayer as far as my knowledge of their language would carry me, I thought myself justified in making them kneel down round me, and they uttered with their lips after me (i.e. the five most intelligent) the first words of prayer to their Father in Heaven.  I don’t venture to say that they understood much—­neither does the young child taught at his or her mother’s knees—­neither do many grown persons perhaps know much about the fulness of the Prayer of Prayers—­(these scenes teach me my ignorance, which is one great gain)—­yet they knew, I think, that they were praying to some great and mighty one—­not an abstraction—­a conscious loving Being, a Father, and they know at least the name of His Son, Jesus Christ.

’Their first formula was:  “God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost, only One God.”  I can’t yet explain that our Blessed Lord came from heaven and died for our sins; neither (as far as human thought may reach) does the power of God’s Spirit as yet work in their hearts consciousness of sin, and with that the sense of the need of a Redeemer and Saviour.  I asked in my sermon yesterday the prayers of the people for the grace of God’s Holy Spirit to touch the hearts and enlighten the understandings of these heathen children of a common Father, and I added that greatly did their teachers need their prayers that God would make them apt to teach, and wise and simple in endeavouring to bring before their minds the things that belong unto their peace.  You too, dear Uncle, will think I know of these things, for my trust is great.  In this cold climate, 26° or 27° of latitude south of their own island, I have much anxiety about their bodily health, and more about their souls.