’I give 100 pounds to a clergyman when ordained, increasing it 101 annually to a maximum of 150 pounds.  But this depends upon subscriptions, &c.  I could not pledge myself even to this, except in the case of a man very highly recommended.  But of this I will write more.

’Again let me say that I do not want anyone yet, not this year.  I shall be off again (D.V.) in the beginning of May 1863, for six months; and if then I find on my return (D.V.) in November, letters from you, either asking me to write with reference to any young man, or informing me that one is on the way out, that will be quite soon enough.

’I need not say I don’t expect any such help so soon, if at all.

’Finally, pray don’t think that I underrate the great advantage of having such persons as St. Mark’s produces; but I write guardedly.  My kind love to Mrs. Derwent.

’Affectionately yours,

‘J.  C. Patteson, Missionary Bishop.’

On the 29th of December, after two pages of affectionate remarks on various family incidents, the letter proceeds:—­

’We are having an extra scrubbing in preparation for our visitors on Thursday, who may wish to be with us on the occasion of the baptism of our six Banks Islanders; and I am writing in the midst of it, preferring to sit in the schoolroom to my own room, which is very tiny and very hot.

’We have some eight only out of the fifty-one whom I am obliged to treat rather as an awkward squad, not that they are too stupid to learn, but that we cannot give them the individual attention that is necessary.  They teach me their language; but I cannot put them into any class where they could be regularly taught—­indeed, they are not young fellows whom I should bring again.  They do the work of introducing us to their islands, and of teaching us something of their language.  So I continue to give them what little time I can—­ the real strength of our force being given to those whom we hope to have here again.

’We are all on the qui vive about our beautiful vessel, hoping to see it in about six or eight weeks.  It will, please God, be for years the great means by which we may carry on the Mission if we live; and all the care that has been spent upon it has been well spent, you may be sure.

’I don’t want to appear as if I expected this to be done in one sense, but it is only when I think of the personal interest shown in it that I suppose it right to thank people much.  I don’t want it to be thought of any more than you do as a gift to us particular missionaries.  It is the Church carrying on its own work.  Yet, as you truly say, private feelings and interests are not to be treated rudely; and I do think it a very remarkable thing that some 2,000 pounds should be raised by subscriptions, especially when one knows that so very few people have an idea of the work that is being done.’

’What a blessed New Year’s rejoicing in hope here follows:—­