from Rotoma, 150 miles off, who said that their tribe had heard that the Queen of England had taken away his salary, and they had been having subscriptions for him every Sunday.  They are of various shades of colour, some light brown, some nearly black, and some so tattooed all over that you can’t tell what colour they are.  I was talking to-day to the best of my power with a native teacher upon whose face I could not see one spot as big as a shilling that was not tattooed, beautifully done in a regular pattern, one side corresponding to the other.  Each tribe, as it is said (I know not how truly), has a pattern of its own; so they wear their coats-of-arms on their faces, that is all.  The young Christian natives are not tattooed at all, and I have been to-day with Sydney, whose father was the great fighting man of Honghi (miscalled Shanghi) who was presented to George iv.  This young man’s father helped to exterminate a whole tribe who lived on a part of the College property (as it is now), and he is said to be perhaps the first New Zealander who was baptized as an infant.  I find it hard to understand them; they speak very indistinctly—­not fast, but their voices are thick in general.  I hope to learn a good deal before October.  My first letter from the ends of the world tells of my peace of mind, of one sound and hearty in body, and, I thank God, happy, calm, and cheerful in spirit.’

’July 11, 1855; St. John’s College, Auckland.

’My dear Fan,—­I do not doubt that I am where I ought to be; I do think and trust that God has given me this work to do; but I need earnest prayers for strength that I may do it.  It is no light work to be suddenly transplanted from a quiet little country district, where every one knew me, and the prestige of dear Father’s life and your active usefulness among the people made everything smooth for me, to a work exceeding in magnitude anything that falls to the lot of an ordinary parish priest in England—­in a strange land, among a strange race of men, in a newly forming and worldly society, with no old familiar notions and customs to keep the machine moving; and then to be made acquainted with such a mass of information respecting Church government and discipline, educational schemes, conduct of clergy and teachers, etc., etc.  It is well that I am hearty and sound in health, or I should be regularly overwhelmed with it.  Two texts I think of constantly:  “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might.”  “Sufficient for the day,” etc.  I hardly dare look forward to what my work may be on earth; I cannot see my way; but I feel sure that He is ordering it all, and I try to look on beyond the earth, when at length, by God’s mercy, we may all find rest.