’The main difficulty is, of course, to secure a supply of really competent teachers.  George, Edward, Henry, Robert, and some three or four others are trustworthy.  I comfort myself by thinking that a great many of the mediaeval Clergy certainly did not know as much nor teach as well.

’Yesterday I baptized 41 more children and infants on again an unpropitious day.  I was obliged to leave 42 to be baptized at some future time.  The rain poured down.  The people will bring them over to-morrow.  The whole number of infants and children will amount to 230 or more, of adults to perhaps 25 or 30.  You will pray earnestly for them that they may lead the rest of their lives “according to this beginning.”

’There is much talk, something more than talk, I think, about putting up a large church-house here, on this side of the island (north-west side) and of a school-house, for church also, on the south-east side.

’We have all heavy coughs and colds; and I have had two or three very disturbed nights, owing to the illness of one of the many babies.  The little thing howls all night.

’All our means of housing people are exhausted.  People flock here for the sake of being taught.  Four new houses have been built, three are being built.  We shall have a large Christian village here soon, I hope and trust.  At present every place is crammed, and 25 or 30 sleep on the verandah.  The little cooking house holds somehow or other about 24 boys; they pack close, not being burdened with clothes and four-posters.  I sleep on a table, people under and around it.  I am very well, barring this heavy cold and almost total loss of voice for a few hours in the morning and evening.

’August 1st.—­Very tired 7 A.M., Prayers 7.20-8.20, school 8.20-10; baptized 55 infants and young children.  Now it is past 1; a boisterous day, though as yet no rain.  I had a cup of cocoa at 6.30, and at 10.30 a plate of rice and a couple of eggs, nice clean fare.  The weather is against me, so cold, wet, and so boisterous.  I got a good night though, for I sent Mrs. Rhoda and her squalling baby to another house, and so slept quietly.

’I am sorry that teaching is so irksome to me.  I am, in a sense, at it all day.  But there is so much to be done, and the people, worthy souls, have no idea that one can ever be tired.  After I was laid down on my table, with my air-pillow under my head and my plaid over me, I woke up from a doze to find the worthy Tanoagnene sitting with his face towards me, waiting for a talk about the rather comprehensive subject of Baptism.

’And at all odd times I ought to be teaching George and others how to teach, the hardest work of all.  I think what a life a real pedagogue must have of it.  There is so much variety with me, so much change and holiday, and so much that has its special interest.

’The “Southern Cross” has been gone a week.  I hope they have not this kind of weather.  If they have, they are getting a good knocking about, and they number about 55 on board.